As the transfer window opens this January, Premier League clubs will be as busy as a bee, with big names running out of contract in the summer of 2021.
With uncertainty surrounding their future at heir present clubs, the big names may decide to move on for free.
Chances are being weighed by many clubs as to whether to offer new deals to the players or apply austerity measures by axing the players.
This may include allowing some to leave for free in the summer.
These players are free to talk to clubs from foreign leagues from January 1, as their current clubs weigh up chances for new deals, sell for a reduced salary in January.
Names of football legends like Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, who are out of contract, are giving the list a special aura and certainly clubs will jostle for their signatures in the winter transfer market.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s uncertainty at FC Barcelona hit the headlines hard once again.
Before the beginning of the season, the player fumed and showed interest in leaving the club.
Messi’s deal at the Nou Camp runs out this summer and a new contract hasn’t been offered yet.
If his deal expires, he has the choice of leaving on a free transfer.
Should the superstar runs out his contract, where would he be moving to?
Manchester City and PSG will be among the favourites, but he may decide to move back to Argentina to end his career with his childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys.
Sergio Aguero
This summer will mark a decade since Aguero joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid.
But the question still is; where lies the future of the 32-year-old?
In 2015, Aguero was reported to have said he would move to Independiente in 2019 when his then-contract expired.
This yet may be his preference this summer when his deal expires.
A series of injury slowed Aguero’s performance this season.
Even though a decision has not been reached on the future of the Argentine, City may decide to lay him off to give room to another forward.
Pep Guardiola’s body language is that Gabriel Jesus is capable of being Aguero’s long-term successor.
This is evidenced by how the Manchester City boss has played down the chances of extra attacking reinforcements arriving in January.
David Alaba
David Alaba is in the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich.
Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in the skillful full back.
Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also said to be keen on signing the 28-year-old Austria international.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer recently told Bayerischer Rundfunk “that negotiations over a new deal for Alaba had ceased, with the player now in the final year of his current contract.”
A source close to the player told Sky Sports News: “David is not considering any other clubs at this stage. He is focusing hundred per cent on Bayern.”
The recent public contract dispute with Bayern may have no negative impact on the Austria international’s plans to remain at the Allianz Arena until the end of this season.
Should Alaba decide to leave or Bayern denies him a new contract, there will surely be a scramble for his signature.
Ozil
Ozil’s career is plagued by lack of playing time and Arsenal reluctance to offer him a new contract.
The £350,000-a-week contract in 2008 continues to look very expensive for the Gunners now.
Disturbed by the two factors, Ozil may decide to try his luck elsewhere.
Since his contract is up in the summer, the the 31-year-old will surely be on his way out of the London club.
There is no shortage of clubs to offer the embattled playmaker a playing time, but the concern is his huge wage demands.
Ozil has not played for Mikel Arteta’s side since March 7 and was not included in the Arsenal’s squads for the Premier League or Europa League.
Certainly, Arsenal boss has little inclination to change his mind over the former Germany international, but Ozil says he continues to hope he will get a chance to help his struggling team-mates.
Memphis Depay
Since the news linking the 26-year-old with a move to Barcelona quietened, there is a complete silence surrounding the future of the former Manchester United man.
The rumours may resurface with now Ronald Koeman at the helm of the affairs at Barca.
Koeman and Depay worked together when the former was the head coach in the Dutch national side
“I’m 26 and almost free, so you can expect clubs to be interested in me, no?” he said recently, and he’s probably right.
Koeman is open in his interest on the young forward.
In October last year, he described Depay as “a great player” though reports in Spain have suggested the Barca boss may be inclined to strengthen elsewhere first.
Wijnaldum
The rumour that FC Barcelona are showing interest in another Dutchman, Wijnaldum, is making the round.
Koeman is hopeful that he can persuade his fellow Dutchman to turn down a new contract offer from Liverpool and join him at the Nou Camp.
But there is no sign of Jurgen Klopp letting go of one of his finest midfielder and he may convince the midfielder to stay at Merseyside.
The player has told Liverpool he will give them his answer imminently.
Angel Di Maria
The Argentineshould be on his way out of PSG in January or next summer, saying recently he hopes PSG will be his “last club in Europe”.
Julian Draxler
The German could not seal a summer move away despite being linked with Leeds and Hertha Berlin.
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