Some of the household names in football have been already linked with surprise transfers as they have entered the final few months of the contract, thus leaving the future at their respective clubs uncertain. Here are the top 20 players whose contract runs out next summer and can negotiate over a transfer with other clubs in January.
Diego Costa
Recent reports revealed that Diego Costa is unlikely to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid and could leave in January. Atletico have a replacement beforehand in Luis Suarez, who they signed from Barcelona in the summer. Costa has been linked with a move to Premier League, with clubs like Tottenham and Everton registering their interest.
Jerome Boateng
Bayern Munich defender is another player who is still uncertain over his future as his contract runs out next summer. The German centre-back had expressed his interest in continuing his services at Allianz Arena but the final decision lies on the Bavarians. Boateng has been a mainstay for Bayern over the course since joining them in 2011.
Eric Garcia
Barcelona are the favourites to sign Eric Garcia as recent reports stated that the announcement could be in January. The Spanish defender’s contract at Manchester City runs out in the summer and has already rejected a renewal as he remains steadfast on returning to his boyhood club.
Luka Modric
Luka Modric has been reportedly offered a contract extension for another year by Real Madrid, meaning that he will not be leaving Bernabeu next summer. The Croatian has been impressive this season, one of the reasons for his contract extension.
Lucas Vazquez
Besides Modric, Lucas Vazquez is another player Madrid are trying to tie into a new deal as his current one expires next summer. The Spaniard has become a valuable squad player to Zinedine Zidane and has mainly featured as a makeshift right-back this season.
Sergio Ramos
Ramos is the third Galactico to feature in the list and the Spanish skipper’s future is up in the air at Bernabeu. Nothing has agreed until now over a new deal for Los Blancos skipper, who has been heavily watched by PSG. The Ligue 1 giants are ready to offer Ramos a lucrative offer in order to lure him away from the Spanish capital. Besides, many of the Premier League outfits are also said to be interested in recruiting the centre-back should he leave as a free agent next summer.
Juan Bernat
Juan Bernat’s future at PSG is hanging in the balance as his current deal runs out in June. The Spaniard is understood to be a top target for Barcelona, with the presidential candidate willing to bring him for free next summer.
Riqui Puig
Puig has lost his place under Barca manager Ronald Koeman despite ending up as revelation last term. Barca want to secure the future of Puig by offering a new contract and at the same time, they are willing to send the academy prospect on loan to allow him to enjoy more game time.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Roma will likely extend Mkhitaryan’s stay following his stellar displays this season. The Armenian is one of the prolific attacking midfielders in Serie A at the moment after racking up goals and assists often.
Arkadiusz Milik
Milik has become a frustrated figure at Napoli after being frozen out of the squad this season. The 26-year-old had earlier vented his frustration towards the Partenopei after not allowing him to leave in the summer, especially when clubs like Juventus and Roma were on his trail.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Manchester United and other suitors of Calhanoglu have been dealt with a blow after AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli said that the midfielder would remain at San Siro. Prior to that, The Turkish midfielder’s contract expires next summer.
Julian Draxler
PSG are looking to get rid of Julian Draxler in the coming transfer window after his value has dropped over the course. Draxler has become a fringe player at Parc des Princes and was linked with a move to Hertha Berlin last summer.
Florian Thauvin
One of the prolific wingers of Ligue 1, Thauvin has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A giants AC Milan. The 27-year-old has breathed a new life since moving to Marseille from his nightmare stint at Newcastle United. He almost missed the entirety of the last season owing to injury and now his contract expires at the end of this season.
Angel Di Maria
Another player, who had been deemed a flop due to his forgetful spell at Manchester United, has established himself as world-class since moving to PSG. The Argentine still looks to be in his best shape but it remains to be seen what does the future hold for him, with him nearing the final months of his contract.
Sergio Aguero
The Manchester City’s all-time top scorer is yet to sign a new deal as his current contract runs out in June. The Argentine has missed most of this season due to injury concerns and his absence was also manifest on certain occasions for City manager Pep Guardiola.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona after turning out to be a top target for the manager and his compatriot Ronald Koeman. Now, the stance looks to have changed as Liverpool could offer the midfielder a new contract.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The young AC Milan goalkeeper is likely to extend his stay at San Siro as the Italian giants see him as an important player for the future. Donnarumma has already tons of experience with his gloves despite being aged 21.
Memphis Depay
The Lyon star’s transfer saga with Barcelona appears to continue in the coming transfer window despite the failed move in the summer. Lyon are willing to sell the Dutch star for a cheaper price, with his contract ending next year.
David Alaba
Alaba is one of the hottest names in the transfer market after failing to agree over a contract extension with Bayern Munich. Several top clubs in Europe have been credited with an interest in the 28-year-old, with Bavarians chief confirming that Alaba can open talks with other clubs next month.
Lionel Messi
One of the highly anticipated things in 2021 is what Lionel Messi would do when his contract expires. There ain’t a tinge of optimism regarding the Argentine’s new deal following his transfer drama in the summer.
