We’ve reached the final month of the Premier League season and attention will soon turn towards the chaos of the summer transfer window.
England’s top clubs will scramble for signings in a never-ending bid to improve, but with the tightening of financial regulations, Premier League sides could be forced into finding cost-efficient additions.
There’s a long list of players heading towards free agency and we’ve compiled a Premier League XI of stars out of contract in the summer.
Goalkeeper: Wes Foderingham – Sheffield United
Featuring behind the Premier League’s worst-ever defence over a 38-game season has not been easy for Wes Foderingham this season. The 33-year-old lost his place to Ivo Grbic after the latter’s January arrival from Atletico Madrid, though still ranks fourth in the division for saves (118) this season.
Out of contract in the summer, the experienced shot-stopper recently returned to the team and could be an astute addition despite a season of struggle at Bramall Lane.
Sensational stops from @wes_foderingham at Old Trafford 😱 pic.twitter.com/C9wLH7LKHA
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 26, 2024
Right-back: Kenny Tete – Fulham
Kenny Tete’s deal at Fulham expires in the summer and the club are keen to tie the right-back down to an extension. The 28-year-old was a key figure during Fulham’s top-half finish last season but has struggled for fitness and favour this time around, making only nine league starts.
The Cottagers have offered Tete a new deal, though no decision has been made by the Dutchman. Fulham can also extend his current contract by 12 months if negotiations over a longer extension fall through.
Centre-back: Joel Matip – Liverpool
Joel Matip looks set to leave Liverpool the same way he came in this summer, on a free transfer. The Cameroonian has proven to be brilliant business since arriving from Schalke as a free agent in 2016, winning a wealth of honours under Jurgen Klopp.
However, fitness issues have been a recurring theme for the centre-back and Liverpool will look for a long-term replacement at the end of the season, with Matip set to turn 33 in August. He has made just nine league starts this season.
𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎: Lazio and Roma are interested in the possibility of signing Liverpool’s Joel Matip.
[@Corriere] pic.twitter.com/gXhKn3iuMg
— Transfer Sector (@TransferSector) April 25, 2024
Centre-back: Tosin Adarabioyo – Fulham
Tosin Adarabioyo has informed Fulham that he will seek a new challenge when his contract runs out at the end of the campaign. The west Londoners had been desperate to extend the contract of the centre-back, though are now resigned to losing the 26-year-old for nothing.
Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham have all been heavily linked with Adarabioyo, who as a free agent could improve presence in both boxes and homegrown quota. Manchester United have also been named as a potential destination for the Manchester City academy product.
Let’s get back to it!@FulhamFC 💪🏾⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1DwAMu67Ji
— Tosin Adarabioyo (@TosinAdarabioyo) March 29, 2024
Centre-back: Raphael Varane – Manchester United
Manchester United have decided against triggering the extension in Raphael Varane’s contract. The World Cup winner has been plagued with fitness problems since arriving from Real Madrid and restricted to just 16 league starts this season.
United have not ruled out a new deal for the 31-year-old, though would require the Frenchman to take a significant cut on his £300,000+ per week wages. It is a similar approach to the one taken with David de Gea last summer, which saw the Spaniard ultimately leave as a free agent.
Left-back: Lloyd Kelly – Bournemouth
Lloyd Kelly is another name in demand as free agency approaches.
The Bournemouth defender has failed to commit his future to the Cherries amid reported interest from Newcastle and Tottenham. Comfortable at centre-back or full-back, his versatility, expiring contract, and homegrown status appeal to both clubs.
Midfield: Jorginho – Arsenal
Arsenal have offered Jorginho a new contract in a bid to prevent the 32-year-old from leaving on a free this summer. A cut-price arrival from Chelsea, the Italian has offered experience and composure in midfield when called upon this season.
He is expected to put pen to paper on new terms, though with Arsenal interested in signing a midfielder this summer he could look for assurances over his role. Jorginho has started just 10 league games for the Gunners in 2023/24.
🔴⚪️ Arsenal have offered new deal to Jorginho, as talks are taking place over contract situation to continue together.
The proposal is already being discussed, as @David_Ornstein reported earlier today.
More to follow soon. pic.twitter.com/a4yp2UplW9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 30, 2024
Midfield: Josh Dasilva – Brentford
Josh Dasilva’s injury-plagued spell at Brentford could come to an end this summer, with the midfielder’s deal in west London to expire. The 25-year-old starred as the Bees won promotion to the top flight but has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League due to injuries.
He missed 12 months between February 2021 and February 2022 with a hip injury, the opening months of the current campaign with a hamstring problem, and is currently out after knee ligament surgery.
“I think, as any business, it is the on-and-off boarding of players that we need to look after,” Thomas Frank said on Dasilva’s future in February
“He needs to go through the surgery first so we get a clear picture of that. But, of course, we would like to look after players and do what we can to help them in the future. We will take a decision on that after the surgery.”
Midfield: Thiago – Liverpool
Another player who has endured a nightmare run with injuries, Thiago’s time at Liverpool has been punctuated with spells on the sidelines. After an impressive 2021/22 campaign, has has failed to find rhythm in Jurgen Klopp’s team. This season, he has been restricted to a five-minute cameo against Arsenal, as a result of hip and muscular issues.
A brilliant talent, but one unable to showcase it regularly enough. It looks set to be the end for him at Anfield in the summer.
Forward: Anthony Martial – Manchester United
Manchester United have decided against extending Anthony Martial’s contract in what will bring the end to an underwhelming spell at Old Trafford.
Signed as one of Europe’s most promising young talents in 2015, Martial’s time with the Red Devils has been one of brief highs but repeatedly ineffective outings. A 23-goal season saw him win the club’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2019/20, but he has largely failed to fulfil the early potential he showed in the Premier League.
The Frenchman has scored just 11 league goals across the last four seasons, and only twice in 19 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24.
Forward: Danny Welbeck – Brighton
Danny Welbeck has been offered a one-year extension to prolong his time at Brighton, though may feel now is the time for change after four seasons on the South Coast.
The 33-year-old has scored six times in all competitions this season and proven himself as a useful experienced option for the Seagulls, though the budding talents of Evan Ferguson and Joao Pedro could reduce his minutes next term.
What a HEADER from Danny Welbeck! 😮💫 pic.twitter.com/GpDfOTjJ53
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2023
Should he leave Brighton, he’s unlikely to be short of offers.
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