United’s manager gave the clearest indication that Diouf would be moving on when his contract expires this summer but insisted again that there was no bad blood between the two of them.
Diouf’s departure has seemed highly likely throughout a season in which he has barely played and made infrequent appearances in United’s matchday squads.
His last outing was in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on January 28 and although the Senegalese international is continuing to train with Leeds, McDermott admitted that Diouf was already considering his options for a move away from Elland Road.
“Dioufy’s now planning for next season,” McDermott said. “I’ve no problem with him. It’s one of those things.”
Leeds made the 33-year-old forward available for transfer last summer but did not receive any firm expressions of interest, and he played in a handful of games early in the season before dropping from the picture after a 3-1 loss at Derby County in October.