Luke Steele, 28, wasn't offered a longer contract at Barnsley due to his age, boss David Flitcroft has told the Chronicle.
The Barnsley manager also revealed he is on the verge of bringing in a young goalkeeper from Europe and that he 'completely trusts' Ben Alnwick to step up to number one should Steele depart as is expected after being offered reduced terms on a one-year deal.
The Reds skipper is remaining tight-lipped about his future but Flitcroft believes it is too risky to offer Steele a longer deal due to his age although outfield defender Tom Kennedy, who turns 28 later this month, recently penned a two-year contract.
Flitcroft said: "If Luke was 22 then we'd offer him a two-year or three-year deal, but age is a critical thing and we don't know what our budget will be after this season so we have to plan carefully.
"You've only got to look at Manchester United and see how they do things. The best players in the world only get one-year deals when the time is right and we have to look at their example.
"I want players to be hungry and flexible and it could be that there is a bigger opportunity out there for Luke and I wouldn't want to stand in his way if that's what he wanted.
"Luke will go and seek other opportunities and if nothing comes up for him then we will receive him with open arms and will look forward to working with him next season.I wouldn't want Luke coming back being annoyed that he hasn't got a move somewhere else.
"We shouldn't have regrets in life and Luke has every right to explore what else is out there for him."
Flitcroft heaped praise on Steele's understudy Alnwick, who was sent off on his Reds debut at Rochdale in August but made 12 appearances for the club last season.
"I will completely trust Ben Alnwick to be the number one goalkeeper for Barnsley Football Club if Luke doesn't sign," said Flitcroft.
"Ben has been an unbelievable support mechanism for Steeley during the last season and he will be given the chance to impress. We're also looking for an understudy goalkeeper and have been extensively scouting Europe and we think we might be close to bringing someone in."
