While talk swirls of the players available on a free transfer in 2025, the real juice is in the players whose contracts expire in 2026, who should really be in talks by now.
Ranked in order of value according to Transfermarkt, here are the 20 biggest stars currently due to become free agents in 2026…
20) Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham)
Talks had reportedly opened with the Uruguay midfielder, but he will be 28 this summer and Spurs might be tempted to take some cash from Atletico Madrid.
19) Yves Bissouma (Tottenham)
There will be no new contract forthcoming for Bissouma, who has started less than half Tottenham’s Premier League games this season.
18) Heung-min Son (Tottenham)
His one-year contract extension was triggered but there was little celebration among Spurs fans who largely see him closer to a problem than a solution.
17) Simon Adringra (Brighton)
Could have reasonably expected to be on his way to Chelsea by now but his form has been mixed this season – only two Premier League goals won’t even earn him a new Seagulls deal.
16) Raul Asensio (Real Madrid)
No announcement as yet but the young centre-half is said to have agreed a new long-term contract.
15) Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
The Other Timber is said to be close to signing on for another year with the Dutch giants before inevitably following his brother to the Premier League.
14) Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
‘No hurry’ says the goalkeeper’s agent as contract talks have begun with PSG amid talk of interest from Inter Milan. He was brilliant v Aston Villa. He could become the first goalkeeper since Lev Yashin to win the Ballon d’Or.
13) Johan Bakayoko (PSV)
The Belgium international winger has made it clear that he would like to leave the Dutch league in 2025; Newcastle United have been strongly linked with a player previously pursued by Liverpool.
12) Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)
The club does have an option for a further year, which they will surely trigger to protect the value of a left-back who should be playing a higher level than even a rejuvenated Wolves.
11) Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
The subject of a supposedly ‘shameful’ offer from Manchester United, the young French winger is also attracting interest from Liverpool and, of course, Chelsea. Could he be Kevin de Bruyne’s replacement at Man City?
10) Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
The left-back is said to be close to signing a contract extension that will make him one of the club’s highest earners.
9) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
It feels like he has been trying to leave for almost as long as he has been a Manchester City player. But will he end up coming back like Ilkay Gundogan?
8) Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
“I want to play football and then I’ll see what the club wants to do with me and then I’ll decide what I want to do, together with my agent and my family,” said the Dutchman. The problem? The club want to reduce his wages.
7) Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
One of the best strikers in world football who is currently available at the right price. He has not scored nearly enough goals for Juventus to offer him a new contract; they would prefer to sell him this summer.
6) Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
His former club Chelsea are said to be interested along with Liverpool and Newcastle, who tried and failed to sign him last summer. With Champions League football now likely, that might be nailed on.
5) Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
He’s rated highly by Vincent Kompany (who knows a few things about being a centre-back) so Bayern are said to be ready to open talks.
4) Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Very strongly linked with Arsenal, but there is also persistent talk about Manchester United and Newcastle United. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has admitted that he is for sale.
3) Estevao (Palmeiras)
We already know that he is coming to Chelsea this summer.
2) Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
A new deal was said to be imminent in October, but this Liverpool regime have proved to be frankly awful at closing these deals. Could they sell him and buy Dean Huijsen to partner Virgil Van Dijk next season? Real Madrid are said to be interested.
1) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
“I don’t know when [the contract will be signed], but I believe it will be soon,” Yamal told CNN. “At the end of the day, Barça is the club of my life. I hope to renew my contract with them and to be with them for as long as possible.”
A Ballon d’Or win would probably help his case.