The list of potential free agents at the end of this season continues to rack up as many big names are yet to resolve their future with their respective clubs. Here are some of the best players who could be available for free next summer.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata has become a fringe player over the years and his time at Manchester United could be over soon. With the Red Devils ushering for a new era, outcasts like Mata wouldn’t be given new contracts – though he wishes to serve the club for many more years.
Isco
Isco’s fall from grace at Real Madrid is unbelievable since he was considered one of the world’s best when he was at the peak of his powers. The Spaniard has failed to convince any managers at Bernabeu over the last few seasons and it is turning out to be the case with the present boss Carlo Ancelotti. His contract expires next summer and AC Milan are reportedly interested in recruiting him in January.
Alexandre Lacazette
Despite Lacazette’s impressive performances in recent weeks, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will extend his stay beyond next summer. The French striker’s injury record and inconsistency look a concern for the Gunners. Atletico Madrid and Juventus could be the potential suitors for Lacazette if he chooses to leave Emirates Stadium.
Divock Origi
Divock Origi will always remain in the heart of Liverpool fans for his heroics in the Champions League 2018/19 campaign; scoring in both semi-finals and finals. He also recently scored in the Reds’ narrow win over Wolves and the goal came in the eleventh hour. It remains to be seen whether the Reds would reward him with a new contract for being an impact substitute.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale returned to Real Madrid last summer after his underwhelming loan spell at Tottenham. The Welsh winger continues to be injury-prone as he has made only three appearances in La Liga this season. To make matters worse, he has also tested positive for COVID-19. It is hard to imagine Bale wearing a Los Blancos shirt beyond next season.
Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne and Napoli are apparently at loggerheads, with the Italian giants being reluctant to accept his high wage demands. The Euro 2020 star is arguably one of the best players in Serie A and he is reportedly being chased by both Milan clubs. The elegant Italian forward is currently in his prime years and he could bring a lot to the attack for whoever signs him.
Andrej Kramaric
Kramaric has been one of the underrated strikers in Europe over the last few seasons. The Croatian striker has been the lynchpin in Hoffenheim’s attack, reaching double figures in goals every single season. However, the 30-year-old will have his contract run out at the end of this season and a decision isn’t made yet. In the ongoing season, he has racked up 2 goals and 7 assists in 16 league appearances.
Fernandinho
Manchester City legend Fernandinho is in the final few months of his contract at Etihad. The 36-year-old is likely to part ways with Citizens next summer and Pep Guardiola has a readymade replacement in Rodri.
Jesse Lingard
It looked like Jesse Lingard was poised for a transfer to West Ham in the summer following a successful spell at London Stadium. However, he ended up staying at Manchester United after then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that the English international was not for sale. It has been reported recently that Lingard leads the list of players Ralf Rangnick wants to sell in the January window.
Sergi Roberto
Sergi Roberto has been receiving stick lately due to his sub-standard performances. Having been with Barcelona for a long time, the Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of this season. With the Catalans currently undergoing a crisis, there are reports that they could sell most of their veterans next summer.
Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah was close to moving to Crystal Palace last summer however the deal fell through in the end. Now, the Arsenal forward is keen on leaving the Emirates Stadium as soon as in January in search of regular game time. The Eagles could get him for a cut-price deal since his contract runs out at the end of this season.
Ivan Perisic
Ivan Persic was part of the Inter Milan side that lifted the Scudetto last season and he has been impressive under Simone Inzaghi this term as well. With the Croatian’s contract expiring next summer, the Nerazzurri have reportedly planned to hold talks with his representatives sooner.
Niklas Sule
Niklas Sule has managed to become a key cog in the defence for Bayern Munich in the last two seasons. The German centre-back will have his contract expire at the end of this season and the Bavarians are keen on extending his stay.
Axel Witsel
Axel Witsel has been holding Borussia Dortmund’s midfield together over the last few seasons but his contract will run out in the summer. Serie A giants Juventus are said to be keen on signing the Belgian midfielder on a free transfer next summer.
Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris has been a mainstay at Tottenham Hotspur, serving as the primary goalkeeper for around a decade. The French World Cup winner’s contract with Spurs expires in the summer of 2022 and Antonio Conte wants him to stay for long. The 34-year-old continues to be a great leader and his performances have hardly dropped in recent years.
Andres Christensen
Andres Christensen has rejuvenated his career at Chelsea since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel. The Danish midfielder’s contract at Stamford Bridge runs out next summer and it was reported earlier that the renewal talks had been stalled. Plenty of European giants are keeping tabs on his situation but Tuchel wants the Dane to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger could spark a transfer war if he opts against signing an extension with Chelsea. The German defender has ingrained his position as one of the best in the world and hence the overwhelming interest from the European giants. The German centre-back is demanding a hefty new contract from the Blues in order to become the club’s highest earner.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta is another Chelsea player whose future remains uncertain, with his contract running out next summer. Like Christensen, the Spaniard’s importance has grown under Tuchel. Azpilicueta is said to be wanted by La Liga giants Barcelona.
Luka Modric
The eternal Croatian midfielder signed an extension with Real Madrid last summer and the Spanish giants want to keep him beyond next summer. Modric continues to be at his usual best even in the twilight of his career.
Paulo Dybala
Juventus skipper Paulo Dybala has revived his form under Max Allegri this term although the club is highly-consistent. The Argentine forward is reportedly close to agreeing to a new contract with the Bianconeri. There have been fears among the fans that he could walk out of Turin for free but the Old Lady have now managed to find a breakthrough in the contract talks.
Juan Cuadrado
The Colombian’s contract at Juventus expires next summer. Cuadrado has been another positive for Allegri in an otherwise dull season after the 33-year-old has racked up 4 goals in Serie A so far. Reports are stating that he would be handed a fresh two-year deal.
Jordan Ayew
Ayew’s output has reduced over the last two seasons and his time at Crystal Palace could be over soon. The Ghanian striker could seek out an exit in January or leave as a free agent at the end of this season.
Dries Mertens
Dries Mertens is showing no signs of stopping down at the age of 34. Despite not being a regular starter at Napoli, the Belgian forward has shown his class whenever he is on the pitch. Mertens scored a total of 4 goals in three consecutive league games against Lazio, Sassuolo and Atalanta. Talking about his future at Maradona Stadium, Napoli are reportedly keen on extending his stay beyond next summer.
Marcelo Brozovic
Marcelo Brozovic is wanted by a plethora of Europe’s top clubs but Inter Milan are reluctant to sell him. The Nerazzurri are keen on handing the Croatian a fresh deal, with his current contract expiring next summer. Inter have a sole deep-lying playmaker option in Brozovic and letting him leave could cause a big problem.
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria is a PSG legend in every way and his impressive yet undervalued numbers are testimony to it. The 33-year-old was on the lips of every Argentine fan after scoring the only goal in the Copa America 2021 final against Brazil. Di Maria might have gone down the pecking order following the arrival of his compatriot Lionel Messi but he has made himself known on fewer occasions this season. The former Manchester United star wants to offer his service to PSG beyond next summer and he has stated that his next destination would only be his boyhood club Rosario Central.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez hit the ground running at Atletico Madrid last season, driving them to the La Liga title after a long-time. His impact at Los Rojiblancos could also have left his former club Barcelona ashen-faced. The Uruguayan has struggled with fitness this season and moreover, he will have his contract at Wanda Metropolitano run out next summer.
Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona are ready to keep Ousmane Dembele for the foreseeable future regardless of all his struggles until now. New manager Xavi is said to have made the French winger a key part of his project. Dembele has repaid the manager’s faith by putting on an impressive performance in the 3-2 win against Elche. A fully-fit Dembele could spell danger to the opponents and he also can continue his development under Xavi. Barca chief Mateu Alemany also stated that the club would soon resolve the future of Dembele.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe’s future remains the hottest subject in football at the moment and Real Madrid signing him for free could be the biggest bargain in history. The French World Cup winner had previously stated that he would only move to the Spanish capital if he were to leave PSG. The Ligue 1 giants are putting their efforts to keep him like they did last summer.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba may be on the sidelines recovering from the injury but his future continues to be a subject of debate. The French midfielder’s contract at Manchester United expires next summer and there is no notable progress at the moment. Reports are stating that United have tabled a brand new offer and it is up to Pogba whether to accept it or not. European giants PSG and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on his situation and could move for him next summer.
