We’re almost done with the 2025/26 Premier League season. Just eight gameweeks remain – as such, teams are already looking towards the next campaign.
In 2026/27, some of the Premier League’s biggest superstars are set to see their contracts expire at the conclusion of the season. Today, we’ll look at five of them – could we see any of these players leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2027?
Gabriel Martinelli
For all of Arsenal’s successes in the Premier League this season, Gabriel Martinelli has been relatively quiet. WIth just one goal and three assists, his contributions have been relatively minimal at domestic level.
In the Champions League, however, Martinelli has been a completely different beast. He has scored six goals in nine games in Europe’s top competition – perhaps this indicates he may be better suited to playing abroad?
There is a optional clause in Martinelli’s contract to extend it by a further year – perhaps this is why there has been no talk of a new contract for the Brazilian international as of yet.
Richarlison
Tottenham Hotspur are all at sea as things stand. Despite picking up a valuable draw against Liverpool on Sunday, their current predicament makes long-term planning impossible.
Richarlison, being out of contract in 2027, is in limbo as a result. Even if Tottenham stay up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him leave North London before long.
For all of Spurs’ many woes in the 2025/26 season, Richarlison has provided a rare glimmer of hope to the Lilywhites. So far this season, he has scored nine Premier League goals, alongside a trio of assists.
Rodri
What a fall from grace Rodri has had. He’s still an excellent passer of the ball with perfect positioning, but he has lost half a step since his long-term injury. Seemingly, it has made a world of difference – and not for the better.
Furthermore, the Spanish international will be 31 in the summer of 2027. With his decline already apparent, this would probably be a good time to cut ties with him.
It’s a shame – just three years ago, Rodri was seen by many audiences to be the best player in the world – now, he is little more than an afterthought in the grand scheme of things.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes will go down as one of the greatest Manchester United players of all time. Some may dispute this, but he provided the United fanbase with hope amid one of the most miserable periods in their history.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Fernandes is 31 now – it wouldn’t be too shocking to see his time at United coming to an end in 2027.
Of course, Fernandes still has plenty to offer, but United won’t be able to compete financially with clubs in Saudi Arabia – and nor should they try to.
Phil Foden
What has happened to Phil Foden? After a bright start to the campaign, he has found himself locked out of Manchester City’s XI – furthermore, he hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since September.
He isn’t the player he once as – this much is clear. Is Foden’s decline down to Pep Guardiola’s over-coaching? Who knows – but whatever the case, a clean break may do him some good at this juncture.
Foden certainly shouldn’t be written off, however. He is still an elite footballer – he just needs time to re-discover what made him so great in the first place.