Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Marouane Fellaini… seven players set to leave on a free transfer
FOR all the eye-watering sums of money thrown around by Europe’s top clubs there are still bargains to be had.
In little over a week’s time the January transfer window opens and players will be able to agree pre-contracts with foreign clubs, enabling them to move for nothing in the summer.
There have been plenty of examples, not least Bayern Munich captain Michael Ballack moving to Chelsea for free in 2006.
With that in mind we asked our friends at Football Whispers to come up with some of the biggest names who could agree free transfer moves in January.
Juan Mata (Manchester United)
The classy Spanish playmaker has been a key player at Old Trafford since swapping Chelsea for United in January 2014 in a £37m deal.
He is out of contract next summer and talk of United triggering a one-year extension has gone cold in recent weeks.
Mata, 29, hopes to play on for a while yet. “I’m 29 and hopefully I can play football for some more years,” he told ESPN FC.
“It would be great to play until I'm 40 like Ryan Giggs. But that's still a bit far, still 11 years.”
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Back at the Emirates Stadium after spending last season on loan at Bournemouth, the Gunners midfielder has been eased into first-team action by Arsene Wenger.
Handed his first Premier League start for Arsenal since May 2016 in the recent draw with West Ham, Wilshere kept his place for the visit of Newcastle three days laters.
The 25-year-old is adamant he wants to remain with the Gunners but that will all hinge on whether Wenger can guarantee him first-team football.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
A Tottenham transfer target in the summer, the Merseysider almost signed for Chelsea before thinking better of it.
But his future lies away from Everton regardless. He turned down a new contract at the end of last season with the then-Toffees boss Ronald Koeman left fuming.
The first half of the season has been a write-off for Barkley due to injury and the arrival of Sam Allardyce is unlikely to sway him into staying.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
A long-term Manchester City transfer target, the Gunners may still get a fee for the Chilean forward who has made it clear he intends to leave.
The Citizens failed to agree a deal in August for the versatile forward. When asked recently whether they would return with another offer, Pep Guardiola was coy.
Sanchez has already turned down the offer of a new contract to remain with Arsenal and it would take a complete 180 for the former Barcelona star to remain in North London.
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Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
The Belgian midfielder has not always been the most popular player at Old Trafford but, under Jose Mourinho, he has found a purpose and taken on an important role in the side.
United recognised this earlier in the campaign by offering the 29-year-old fresh terms in September. However, Fellaini turned down the club’s offer.
Despite that, the Red Devils are confident a deal can be struck and will reportedly rebuff any offers for the former Everton player in January.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Like teammate Sanchez, Ozil’s future at the Emirates Stadium has become a saga. However, the German appears the most likely to put pen to paper on a new deal out of the pair.
The latest reports indicate Ozil is keen to remain with the Gunners but will demand a hefty pay rise in order to commit his future to the North Londoners.
However, the 29-year-old is also a Manchester United transfer target and the opportunity to work under Mourinho – his coach at Real Madrid – could be a big factor.
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Emre Can (Liverpool)
Talks between Can and Liverpool have been ongoing for some time but the two parties appear to have hit an impasse.
That is a huge concern for the Reds who will be aware the German is a Juventus transfer target and could be tempted by a big pay rise in Italy.
However, Can claims the delay in signing is not down to finance. He told the Liverpool Echo: "It is not about money, that's all I can say.
"Yes I could (sign a pre-contract with another club next month), but tomorrow I could also sign for Liverpool. We'll see."