There are several high-profile Premier League players whose contracts with their respective clubs are coming to an end unless things change
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts as Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool pats his back during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC
A whole host of Premier League talent is out of contract next year(Image: Getty)
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'If you're coming down to your last year, you better have a good year'. Those were the words of Gabby Agbonlahor as he criticised Jadon Sancho, who remains without a club following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United.
It is quite the demise for the supremely talented Kennington-raised winger, who commanded a £73 million transfer fee at just 21 years of age. The words of the former Villa forward ring truer for some more than others.
Whilst some players have proven themselves and can consequently expect a choice of suitors or a smooth transition into the next chapter of their careers, others will require a strong 2026/27 campaign to secure a contract when their current deals expire next summer.
Lisandro Martinez - Manchester United
The Argentine was one of several Ajax stars brought to Manchester United by Erik ten Hag. 'The Butcher' quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford thanks to his passionate style of play.
Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez has had a tough time with injuries(Image: Charlotte Tattersall/Charlotte Tattersall - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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However, the 28-year-old's United career has been hampered by numerous injuries. Across his four seasons with the Red Devils, he has only surpassed 20 Premier League appearances once - his debut campaign where he made 27 appearances.
Since joining United, Martinez has spent 609 days on the sidelines. Currently facing another spell out with a hamstring problem following the World Cup, if Martinez is to earn a second contract in Manchester - or attract a move elsewhere - he must put his woeful injury record behind him.
Gabriel Martinelli - Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli has been handed a lifeline with the failed Vini Jr transfer(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Martinelli looked the real deal at just 21 years of age during the 2022/23 campaign, registering 15 goals and six assists in the Premier League. Yet, after three more seasons in England's top flight, the Brazilian is yet to surpass those numbers.
Arsenal's recent Premier League-winning season proved to be Martinelli's worst since 2020/21, when Martinelli was just 19 years of age. He managed just one PL goal in 30 appearances in 2025/26. Disappointing.
Now a title-winning side, Arsenal will seek to progress on last season's success. Arsenal's pursuit of Martinelli's compatriot Vinicius Jr demonstrated the north London club's desire to strengthen on the left flank. Their failure to land Vini may offer the 25-year-old a lifeline, but make no mistake: this season is pivotal for Arsenal's No.11.
Bruno Fernandes - Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has been subject to transfer speculation for a number of years(Image: Kazimierz Koper/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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The 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season finds himself out of contract next summer and despite contract talks ongoing, there is already no shortage of suitors for his signature, with Galatasaray the most prominant in their advances.
The Manchester United captain is coming off the back of a magnificent season, registering a record-breaking 21 assists - the most in a Premier League campaign ever - as well as finding the net nine times in the league.
A reported £700,000 a week offer was made to Fernandes from Saudi Arabia last summer. Although the 31-year-old ultimately opted to stay in the north west of England, Saudi interest is unlikely to have disappeared. Whether United will put forward a new offer of their own remains to be seen. Regardless, Fernandes will not be short of proposals.
Virgil Van Dijk - Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk is entering the final year of his contract and remains Liverpool's captain(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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The Dutchman is one of the finest centre-halves to grace the Premier League. He possesses virtually every quality you could ask for in a defender: strong, quick, composed, as well as possessing an immense passing range - an aspect of his game that perhaps does not receive the recognition it deserves.
Set to turn 36 next summer, Van Dijk has earned the right to decide how and when he brings his Liverpool career to a close. Whether he stays or goes, the Premier League-winning captain has already cemented an immense legacy.
Jack Grealish - Manchester City
Jack Grealish.
Grealish has fallen out of favour at City(Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)
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Jack Grealish had a good 2022/23 campaign, playing a key role as Manchester City made history by completing the treble. However, the ex-Aston Villa star has not even scratched the surface of justifying his £100m transfer fee or reported £300,000-a-week wages.
A new contract at the Etihad looks highly unlikely, with the 30-year-old's future now firmly up in the air after he was excluded from City's pre-season squad, despite his appearance in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal. The expiration of his contract next summer will allow City to wash their hands of what has been an underwhelming transfer.
Kaoru Mitoma - Brighton
Kaoru Mitoma.
Mitoma could have landed Brighton £75m last January(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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A reported £75m offer came from Saudi for Mitoma just over 18 months ago - now Brighton may see the Japanese winger walk away for free in under 12 months' time.
After registering just three goals in the league last season. With his contract situation looming, this could be a pivotal season for the Brighton star - both in determining the 29-year-old's future and rebuilding his reputation as one of the Premier League's most dangerous wingers.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta - Crystal Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta was set to join AC Milan(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Despite pushing for a January transfer and agreeing a contract with AC Milan, Mateta finds himself still at Crystal Palace over six months later, with his contract expiring in 2027.
Yasin Ayari - Brighton
At just 22 years of age, there will be no shortage of interest in the Swede. Reports suggested that Nottingham Forest tested Brighton's resolve with a £20m bid for the midfielder last January.
Yasin Ayari.
Ayari could leave for free next summer(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
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However, with no breakthrough in negotiations, the Seagulls now face the prospect of losing the midfielder who featured for them 29 times in the league last season for nothing.
Harvey Elliott - Liverpool
There is a lot of love for Harvey Elliott amongst the Liverpool fanbase, but the midfielder now finds himself at a career crossroads. His move to Aston Villa last summer was nothing short of disastrous.
Unai Emery quickly decided that Elliott was not part of his plans but with Liverpool and Villa unable to reach an agreement over terminating his loan, the youngster was left facing a season of almost no first-team football.
Harvey Elliott.
Elliott is another Liverpool star potentially on his way out(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Pre-season was therefore always going to be crucial for Elliott. The departure of Slot has potentially handed him a lifeline at the club he grew up supporting, but the 23-year-old didn't set the world alight during the summer preparations. With competition for places fierce, Elliott's future at Anfield remains firmly up in the air.
Chris Richards - Crystal Palace
Richards has impressed since joining Crystal Palace in 2022, establishing himself as part of a formidable centre-back trio alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.
Chris Richards.
Palace can't afford to lose Richards(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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However, that defence has been decimated over the past six months, with Guehi departing for Manchester City and Lacroix following him out the door in a reported £52 million move to Chelsea.
Consequently, Palace can ill afford to lose Richards this summer. Yet, with his contract entering its final year, the Eagles face the very real prospect of seeing another key member of their defence walk away, this time for nothing in 12 months' time.
Calvin Bassey - Fulham
Calvin Bassey.
Fulham could lose Bassey in a year's time(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
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Calvin Bassey has been an impressive signing for Fulham since his move from Ajax in 2023. The Nigerian international has 101 appearances for the Cottagers and has made five goal contributions throughout.
He has become a formidable star in the Premier League but now, he is on the cusp of leaving the top-flight behind. Fenerbahce were previously linked with the 26-year-old, but new boss Alvaro Arbeloa should consider checking out an extension opportunity as Bassey enters the prime years of his career.