Udinese have sent shockwaves around Serie A by confirming that Vincenzo Iaquinta has been frozen out of the squad for refusing to sign a contract extension.

“With great personal regret I realised today that Iaquinta is the only one of our lads who doesn’t see himself as part of the Udinese project aimed at achieving certain goals,” explained director general Pietro Leonardi in a statement on the official club website this evening.

“All of the other players in the squad proved their deep faith in the essence of Udinese by each renewing their contracts without exception. Iaquinta has today placed himself outside of the project.”

Iaquinta was not part of the squad set to face Juventus on Wednesday evening and, at first, it had been reported that he was suffering from flu symptoms.

However, the shock truth emerged and Udinese have chosen to freeze out the man who scored a hat-trick in their Champions League debut against Panathinaikos.

“In the hope that he can take a more reasonable attitude, for the good of the squad we will in the meantime leave space to those who believe in the objectives of the group.”

Udinese have revealed that they intend to sell contract rebel Vincenzo Iaquinta during the January transfer window.

The player has been sensationally axed from the squad after the two parties failed to agree terms to extend his present deal.

Udinese are unwilling to meet his wage demands and the striker now faces the prospect of spending the next three months on the sidelines.

"The player lacks the stimulus to stay here and it would be better to find an alternative solution," said Udinese chief Gianpaolo Pozzo.

"He wants to leave and we will therefore find a new team for him in January. We’ll see what we can do because he wants to join a big club."

However, Iaquinta – who missed last night’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus – maintains he is ready to remain at the Friuli.

"I would like to repeat what I said last week, even before I met with the club to discuss a possible renewal," he noted.

"I’m happy to have remained alongside my splendid teammates, the coaches who have great faith in me and the marvellous fans who have offered me unforgettable moments."

Iaquinta’s controversial exclusion from the squad has inevitably fuelled the suspicious nature of Italian football.

The fact that he still has almost two years left on his deal, and that he was dropped on the eve of the Juve match, have not gone unnoticed by those in the game.

"It is very, very strange," stated Inter owner Massimo Moratti. "His contract doesn’t expire until 2007 and there is plenty of time.

"It is even stranger that all this occurred just before the Juventus match…"

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti added: "I think that a lot of weird things are happening in thisfootball world.

"It can’t be possible that a player who has two years to run on his contract can be in such a position."

Unconfirmed allegations are already suggesting that Juventus may be preparing a New Year bid for the Italian international.

I second Cicinho and Kompany. We seemed to be in pole position for both, but recently Real and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of us for their respective signatures

Felipe is always an option, although I heard he had a nightmare against Barca last night. There is a real lack of world class defenders at the moment..

Iaquinta MUST COME to Ac Milan to substitute Inzaghi or Vieri, he is in better form that Gilardino.