As the January transfer window approaches, clubs looking for a bargain may be wise to explore players whose deals are running down in the summer.
FIFA’s rules allow players with less than six months on their current contract to negotiate with other clubs, paving the way for pre-contract deals.
However, this mechanism only applies to clubs outside of the country where the player is currently residing.
Therefore, Premier League clubs hoping to snap up Marc Guehi on a free will have to wait until the summer – as long as an overseas side doesn’t beat them to it.
But who could make these moves once January rolls around? We’ve outlined the best players with expiring contracts and hinted at which clubs could take the plunge.
Explaining transfer values
To help give an idea of the values of these prospective deals, we have given each player on this list a transfer value. This is determined by the average market value attributed to them by three notable sources: Transfermarkt, FootballTransfers and FotMob.
All data displayed is correct as of 31st December 2025.
Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)
Interested clubs: Aston Villa, Newcastle
Julian Brandt is yet to determine his short-term future, with the German’s deal at Borussia Dortmund drawing to a close in the summer.
This has caught the attention of clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa, though it’s the latter whose name has sustained in terms of interest of late.
Villa’s tabs on the attacking midfielder come amid stalled contract talks, making a summer move all the more likely.
| Julian Brandt | Career stats (Borussia Dortmund) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2019-present |
| Apps | 286 |
| Goals | 54 |
| Assists | 68 |
| Bought for | £22.1m |
| Transfer value | £14.4m |
Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Interested clubs: Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Spurs
Leon Goretzka has been at Bayern for eight seasons, winning everything on offer during that time.
But the midfielder appears to be at a crossroads, with recent reports even suggesting of a rift between Goretzka and his club – sparking rumours that a January deal may be in the offing.
Tottenham Hotspur was recently highlighted as a possible destination for the 30-year-old, but with reported interest from Spain and Italy, the Lilywhites could have a battle on their hands.
Either way, the Bayern star will be free to talk to European clubs as of next month.
| Leon Goretzka | Career stats (Bayern Munich) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2018-present |
| Apps | 287 |
| Goals | 46 |
| Assists | 48 |
| Bought for | Free |
| Transfer value | £12.3m |
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Interested clubs: Bayern Munich, Liverpool
Marc Guehi’s future at Crystal Palace has long been a topic of conversation, not least since a summer move to Liverpool collapsed at the eleventh hour.
It appears the Reds remain interested amid the flailing defence of their Premier League crown, though Bayern Munich are among those also hoping to pounce.
Oliver Glasner has claimed that Guehi will not sign an extension at Selhurst Park, so we can expect European giants to be queueing up very soon.
However, Bayern may hold an advantage over Arne Slot’s side, as they can wrap up a pre-contract deal from 1st January. With an average £44.1m transfer value, he would be the best-value free transfer on this list.
| Marc Guehi | Career stats (Crystal Palace) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2021-present |
| Apps | 183 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Bought for | £18m |
| Transfer value | £44.1m |
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
Interested clubs: Inter, Real Madrid
Ibrahima Konate’s next move looks to be up in the air, with the Frenchman facing an uncertain future amid talk of a contract renewal at Liverpool.
Until recently, Real Madrid appeared to be the most keen on the centre-back, though Inter have reportedly entered the race, albeit amid some scepticism.
With Liverpool seemingly actively searching for central defenders themselves, it would not be a surprise if Konate were to seek a new start once the World Cup is over.
| Ibrahima Konate | Career stats (Liverpool) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2021-present |
| Apps | 156 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Bought for | £35m |
| Transfer value | £38.1m |
Mike Maignan (Milan)
Interested clubs: Chelsea, Juventus
Although Milan appear keen to hold on to Mike Maignan’s services, they may be powerless in the new year, as the strongly linked Chelsea could make a move for the French goalkeeper.
Serie A rivals Juventus have also been mentioned as the Rossoneri race to seal a new contract for the 30-year-old, but the Blues look to be in pole position with just days to go before they can shake hands on a pre-contract agreement.
Potential suitors will certainly be on alert following reports that Maignan wants to leave San Siro – which means Milan would likely have to sell in January to avoid letting him go for free.
| Mike Maignan | Career stats (Milan) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2021-present |
| Apps | 181 |
| Clean sheets | 67 |
| Goals conceded | 186 |
| Bought for | £12.9m |
| Transfer value | £16.5m |
Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
Interested clubs: Man Utd, Newcastle, Real Madrid
Ruben Neves shocked the footballing world as he partly led the exodus from European football to Saudi Arabia as the country’s richest clubs laid siege on our continent’s top talent.
Neves’ departure from Wolves was particularly surprising as he was one of the younger players to tread that particular path – joining Al-Hilal for £47m at the age of 26.
The Portugal midfielder has fared rather well in the Middle East, winning one Saudi league title and one King’s Cup.
But having not yet extended his contract in Riyadh and amid constant rumours linking him with a Premier League return – Manchester United appear to be linked most frequently – it may not be long before the likes of the Red Devils decide to act.
| Ruben Neves | Career stats (Al-Hilal) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2023-present |
| Apps | 108 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 25 |
| Bought for | £47m |
| Transfer value | £16m |
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Interested clubs: Juventus, Milan
Bernardo Silva has flirted with a Manchester City departure in the past, but it looks like 2025/26 will finally be his last season at the Etihad Stadium.
With the Portuguese midfielder out of contract in the summer and no sign of talks with his current club, teams are lining up to take advantage.
There doesn’t appear to be a strong frontrunner at this stage, but Italian Serie A duo Juventus and Milan have been mentioned as having had some form of contact.
Saudi Arabian clubs have long admired Silva and could reignite interest in the coming weeks.
| Bernardo Silva | Career stats (Man City) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2017-present |
| Apps | 430 |
| Goals | 73 |
| Assists | 75 |
| Bought for | £43m |
| Transfer value | £24.7m |
Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal are said to be one of the clubs eyeing up a potential move for Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber, brother of Gunners defender Jurrien.
The Dutchman’s deal runs out in June and a family reunion in north has been mooted in the recent past.
Borussia Dortmund was mentioned as a possible destination back in November, while Brentford are also among the 24-year-old’s admirers.
| Quinten Timber | Career stats (Feyenoord) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2022-present |
| Apps | 123 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 16 |
| Bought for | £8.4m |
| Transfer value | £22.5m |
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Interested clubs: Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid
Dayot Upamecano has remained a regular at the heart of Bayern Munich’s defence despite not being tied down to a long-term contract.
Liverpool have been among those credited with an interest in the Frenchman, with some reports claiming he had even been offered to the Reds.
However, Upamecano may be one of the unlikelier Bosman moves, given that more recent reports have suggested that Bayern could yet hand the defender a new deal – albeit with a release clause inserted, as per his representatives’ requests.
| Dayot Upamecano | Career stats (Bayern Munich) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2021-present |
| Apps | 173 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Bought for | £38m |
| Transfer value | £39.1m |
Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
Interested clubs: Barcelona, Liverpool
Dusan Vlahovic hasn’t exactly set the world alight following his big-money move from Fiorentina to Juventus back in January 2022, and it appears as though his time in Turin will fizzle out this summer.
That hasn’t stopped Europe’s best from making enquiries, with Barcelona appearing as frontrunners for his signature, as per reports.
However, Liverpool may be their biggest rivals to sign the Serbian, with recent claims just before Christmas suggesting that a £20m January offer could be in the offing amid their need to replace the injured Alexander Isak.
This is surprising given that Vlahovic is currently injured himself, but a January approach may just work in the Reds’ favour.
| Dusan Vlahovic | Career stats (Juventus) |
|---|---|
| Career | 2022-present |
| Apps | 162 |
| Goals | 64 |
| Assists | 16 |
| Bought for | £66m |
| Transfer value | £23.3m |
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