This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

Leeds have been hesitant to offer Gaetano Berardi a new contract, and the fans have made their stance on the matter very clear.

A number of United supporters don’t want to see the Swiss defender stay, but their hand may be forced if one transfer rumour comes to fruition.

Their concerns are hardly a surprise given the seven red cards he's picked up in his time in the north of England but whether he stays beyond 2019/20 might be determined by another defender at the club.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Indeed, reports have been circulating that Ben White could be recalled by Brighton in January after his good start to life at Elland Road.

White’s departure would leave Marcelo Bielsa with just two senior centre-backs in his squad, one of which would be out of contract within six months.

Bearing this in mind, the Yorkshire club’s hand would potentially be left with no other option than to offer Berardi a new deal, purely because of their lack of options.

Why being the away goalkeeper at Leeds is the toughest job in football in the video below...

Failing to do so would leave them with the real possibility of only occupying one centre-back heading into the 2020/21 season. Meanwhile, a lack of job security could also affect his performances for the rest of 2019/20.

Knowing that he could be out of the door in the summer won't exactly encourage Berardi to put everything into getting the Whites promoted to the Premier League. However, if the Brighton loanee is recalled the 31-year-old would suddenly become imperative in what could prove to be one of their most important periods in recent history.

In this instance, keeping Berardi wouldn't be the worst thing, but if White returns to the south coast the club could be left with no other option.