"If he went there it would be a stab through the heart," Simon Jose, of the Leeds United Independent Fans’ Association, said. "I think this shows he is stunningly naive and badly advised. There are 101 other clubs he could go to and it would make a mockery of the support we have given him."
On the popular Square Ball website, the chief topic on the message board was "Smithy = Judas".
One fan summing up the feelings when he said: "He has already lost his Mr Leeds status."
He would, of course, not be the first Leeds player to cross the Pennines in recent years. Eric Cantona was sold seven months after helping United to the 1992 championship, while Rio Ferdinand left after the 2002 World Cup tournament.
Cantona’s home was attacked after his move and Peter Ridsdale was inundated with hate mail after selling Ferdinand.