How many of these footballers out of contract in 2025 will be on the move in January when they can talk to foreign clubs?
Ranked in order of value according to Transfermarkt, here are the 20 biggest stars currently due to become free agents in summer next year…
20) Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Understandably reluctant to commit himself to the unstable Toffees and will likely have his pick of mid-table Premier League clubs on a free transfer.
19) Amad Diall0 (Manchester United)
The Ivory Coast winger is finally an established first-team player, and the club has a one-year option they will surely trigger.
18) Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Expected to extend his contract at Inter despite not being in Inter’s first-choice XI at the start of the season.
17) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Surely retirement will beckon at 38. Unless he thinks he has another World Cup in him…
16) Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United)
Still awaiting a contract offer from his boyhood club; he must be fearing a January PSR sale like his friend Elliot Anderson.
15) Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
Palace are reportedly keen to open contract talks with Oliver Glasner’s first-choice left-back. He will expect an increase on his reported £40,00-a-week wages.
14) Olivier Boscagli (PSV)
Brighton were linked with a move for defender Boscagli this summer, while Inter have busied themselves laying down foundations for their approach once his PSV contract expires next summer.
13) Frank Anguissa (Napoli)
Having been a regular for Napoli in the two seasons since he joined, Anguissa might expect his terms to be extended. But it also might depend on the mood of Antonio Conte on any given day.
12) Angel Gomes (Lille)
The new England call-up has been linked with a free transfer move back to England and specifically Tottenham.
11) Neymar (Al-Hilal)
The Brazilian megastar is currently trousering around £130million a year. Neymar will be 33 by the time his next deal comes around.
10) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The Liverpool skipper’s last deal was signed in 2021 and the fact he’s already the club’s second-highest earner, and seemingly content at Anfield, means there is little urgency to get around the negotiating table just yet. They are at least talking now.
9) Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Did appear to be bound for Bayern Munich until Bayer Leverkusen insisted they wanted over £35m for the German international. Barcelona are among those linked.
8) Heung-min Son (Tottenham)
Since Harry Kane’s exit, Son has been Spurs’ highest-paid player and there is little panic at the club over a repeat of the Kane situation since they have the option to extend for a further 12 months. But there is talk they will simply offer Son a fresh new deal.
7) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Saudis are circling around De Bruyne but it seems unlikely he’ll be off anywhere while Pep Guardiola has breath in his body.
6) Jonathan David (Lille)
Would have been an excellent signing for Manchester United but somehow remains at Lille despite being one of the top scorers of 2024.
5) Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
We thought he would end his career with Bayern Munich but the appointment of Vincent Kompany as manager could help push the German in the direction of PSG or Barcelona.
4) Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
The full-back reportedly had a deal ready to go at the end of last season, but then Bayern’s boardroom underwent massive change, meaning a new round of talks were needed. And the delay could cost the Bavarians since Real Madrid (and inevitably Manchester United) are sniffing.
3) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool resisted Saudi interest last year and it was never seriously on the table this summer. The smart money is probably on a lucrative free transfer exit.
2) Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
The Germany winger is understood to have changed his view on signing a new contract with Bayern. Towards the end of last year it was reported that a deal was in the pipeline but all parties decided to put talks on the back burner until after Euro 2024. Manchester United are the latest club linked with the former Manchester City winger.
1) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
All three of Liverpool’s highest earners are out of contract next summer, with Alexander-Arnold currently behind Salah and Van Dijk. At least they got rid of the high-earning Thiago this summer.
Alexander-Arnold, given his age and background, would probably be the easiest renewal of the lot. Or he would be if Jude Bellingham were not in his ear about Real Madrid. And Gary Lineker had not had a word about Barcelona.
