Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente will ask for a move away in January if he is not still playing regularly, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.
Despite having started each of Madrid's last six games while first choice holding midfielder Casemiro was out injured, Llorente has not changed his mind over his need for regular first-team football between now and the end of the campaign.
He barely featured during the first four months of 2018-19, and was subsequently linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool, Roma, Napoli, Sevilla and Alaves. Several Premier League clubs are believed to have made an informal approach to Llorente's representatives.
An ankle injury suffered by Casemiro in November opened up a spot in Santi Solari's XI, and Llorente impressed with his reading of the game, strength in the tackle and composure in possession.
However, Brazil international Casemiro is now back to full training and could return to the starting line-up either in Saturday's La Liga game at home to Rayo Vallecano or next week's Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Madrid academy graduate Llorente wants to continue at the club and has enjoyed his spell in the first team, but sources have told ESPN FC that if the situation changes again, and he returns to the bench after the winter break, then a meeting will be demanded with Bernabeu chiefs at which an immediate exit will be one of the options presented.