The January transfer window is open and the start of the transfer period means upcoming free agents can now be approached on pre-contract deals.
Having entered the final six months of their current contracts, this list of players will appeal to sides looking to secure a Bosman bargain for the summer.
Here are 10 of the best players whose contracts are expiring in 2024.
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The biggest fish in the free agency pool, Kylian Mbappe’s future has rarely been out of the headlines across the last two years. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar seemed set to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2022, but performed a U-turn on his decision to leave the French capital and signed a new deal at the Parc des Prices.
Fast forward 18 months, and PSG are again facing the prospect of losing their record goalscorer. Mbappe informed PSG of his decision not to sign a new deal last summer, with the Ligue 1 champions accepting a world-record £259m bid from Saudi side Al-Hilal for his services.
Sit. And. Enjoy. Mbappé. 🇫🇷🌟 pic.twitter.com/FcYsf3oBoQ
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 1, 2024
The 25-year-old turned down that move, with the expectation that he will join long-term suitors Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. Mbappe’s expected exit will be a bitter blow to the PSG project, with the France captain having scored 233 goals in 288 games for the club.
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Adrien Rabiot looked set to leave Juventus on a free transfer last summer, with the France international linked with Manchester United. The 28-year-old instead signed a one-year extension with the Italian side, a short-term deal that perhaps hints at a desire for a new challenge.
Rabiot scored 11 goals in all competitions for Juventus last season, and is currently part of a Bianconeri team looking to win Serie A for the first time since 2020 this season.
Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)
Piotr Zielinki’s eight-year spell at Napoli could reach its conclusion at the end of the campaign, as the Polish midfielder’s contract expires.
The 29-year-old was a key figure in the club’s drought-breaking Scudetto success last season, registering the second most assists in Serie A (8) and leading the division for key passes (84). Inter Milan have been heavily linked with a raid on their divisional rivals.
🚨 #Inter is ready to sign Piotr Zieliński as a free agent if the midfielder does not extend his contract with Napoli. The Polish international has been offered a contract until 2027 with the option to extend until 2028 worth €4.5M/yr. 🇵🇱
[via @NicoSchira 🌖] pic.twitter.com/cM9FQDJVvd
— Inter Xtra (@Inter_Xtra) December 31, 2023
Mario Hermoso (Atletico Madrid)
A member of Atletico Madrid’s battle-hardened backline under Diego Simeone, Mario Hermoso has forged a fine career in the Spanish capital, having initially failed to make the grade at city rivals Real Madrid.
The defender, who can play centrally or at left-back, has racked up 149 appearances in all competitions and formed part of the La Liga winning team of 2020/21. One-time Bosman kings, Juventus, are reportedly willing to offer the five-cap Spain international a new challenge.
Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis)
Guido Rodriguez is a case of classic late bloomer, with the combative midfielder having not reached European football until the age of 25.
Since then, he’s become one of the best ball-winners in La Liga and a regular with Argentina, forming part of the squads that won the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.
Last season, the 29-year-old led La Liga for tackles won.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has held talks with Manchester United over a new contract, though there is yet to have been a breakthrough. The right-back’s time with the club has been mixed, having joined in a £45m deal from Crystal Palace in 2019, and a decision will be made on whether to activate the optional one-year extension.
Reservations over his attacking threat has seen Wan-Bissaka job-share the right-back role with Diogo Dalot. Neither have overly convinced.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Anthony Martial is set to leave Manchester United in the summer with the Red Devils unlikely to offer the French forward an extension to his deal.
The 27-year-old has underwhelmed since a bright start to his career with the club, and has scored just 12 league goals across the last three-and-a-half campaigns. The arrival of Rasmus Hojlund in the summer has spelled the end for Martial in Manchester, with the club understood to be open to suitable offers in the January transfer window.
🔴🇫🇷 Ten Hag on if there is a possibility that Anthony Martial is sold in January:
“When we have news, then of course I will tell it. But that is not our aim”. pic.twitter.com/xUHEADiU3T
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 25, 2023
Daichi Kamada (Lazio)
A free agent last summer, Daichi Kamada signed for Lazio on a short-term deal in the summer. Although there have been varied reports on the length of the deal, Transfermarkt.co.uk are reporting that the Japanese midfielder’s deal runs only until the end of the campaign.
The 27-year-old has failed to hit the heights seen at Eintracht Frankfurt in Italy to date, but ranks fifth in Serie A for successful take-on percentage (77.8%) this season. He will form part of the Japan team that will start the Asian Cup as favourites this month.
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Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)
Wilfred Ndidi will be an appealing option for sides searching for cost-efficient reinforcements, as the Leicester midfielder nears the end of his deal with the Championship leaders.
Ndidi established himself as one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League with the Foxes, topping the division for tackles in 2017/18 and 2018/19, and ranking second and fourth respectively over the following two campaigns. Despite a decline in those numbers, the Nigerian remains just 27 and a change of scenery could bring Ndidi back to his best.
The midfielder is part of a Leicester team who top the second tier at present, with Ndidi having scored twice and provided five assists in 21 appearances this season.
Smart approach, stylish finish 👔
Wilfred Ndidi with the #TRALEI opener. pic.twitter.com/DjVVvDjnm2
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 30, 2023
Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth)
Lloyd Kelly has been linked with a number of top clubs as he approaches the expiration of his contract at Bournemouth.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle have all been credited as admirers of the versatile defender, though AC Milan are reportedly looking to beat the competition from the Premier League and strike a pre-contract agreement.
Bournemouth are determined to tie Kelly down to a new deal, with the centre-back a key part of the club’s upwardly mobile project under Andoni Iraola.
Read – Five of the best value signings of 2023/24
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