Fernando Gago could leave Real Madrid in January after his agent revealed the midfielder was unhappy at his lack of playing time.

Gago has featured regularly for Madrid over the last two seasons, but this campaign he has started just two league games with Lassana Diarra and big-money summer signing Xabi Alonso being new coach Manuel Pellegrini's preferred partnership in the heart of midfield.

With a spot in Diego Maradona's Argentina squad for next year's World Cup possibly at stake, Gago's agent Marcelo Lombilla admits it could be beneficial for both player and club for the former Boca Juniors man to be allowed to leave.

"For me it doesn't make sense to have a player who is not happy at his club, who isn't playing. Gago, when he's not playing, is sat at home crying," Lombilla was quoted by Spanish newspaper Marca as telling the Argentinian press.

"I understand that the starter in his place is Xabi Alonso, who is a high-class player, but he is also a big signing of the president (Florentino Perez). And because of this he has more minutes than Gago."

Gago has been linked with a move back to former club Boca, possibly on loan, but Lombilla insists he has not heard anything from the Argentinian superpowers.

"Nobody has called me from Boca. Money will not be a problem for the player, but we will have to see what Madrid say, as they are in charge of his future. What Gago wants is rhythm, because the World Cup is close and for Maradona to call him up he has to play," Lombilla added.