The start of the January transfer window marks the beginning of a six month period where soon to be out of contract stars can enter negotiations with clubs abroad.
Several stellar names across Europe can now be approached to sign pre-contract agreements ahead of a free transfer in the summer.
A number of top players will be looking to evaluate their options before seeing whether to commit their future to this current side or seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
David de Gea and N’Golo Kante are among the stars whose contracts expire in the summer
January could offer clubs a final chance to cash in on those with expiring deals, with a number of players having refused to commit having long been linked with moves elsewhere.
Here are 20 stars who are now free to enter talks with clubs abroad over a potential summer move.
KARIM BENZEMA (REAL MADRID)
Benzema claimed the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 2022 after a series of outstanding displays. The Frenchman played a starring role in Real Madrid’s 14th Champions League triumph, as well as winning LaLiga, scoring 44 goals in 46 games last season.
The 35-year-old insisted he would retire at Real Madrid after winning the Ballon d’Or, with the Spanish giants expected to extend his deal.
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has vowed to end his career at Real Madrid
LUKA MODRIC (REAL MADRID)
The Croatian maestro last month hinted he could retire from football soon, with the star confirming he would weigh up his future after his nation’s third place finish at the World Cup. Modric has claimed it would be a dream to retire at Real Madrid, where he has picked up five Champions League titles and three LaLiga titles.
The 37-year-old has also been viewed as the next potential target for Saudi Arabian football, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s £175 million-a-year move to Al-Nassr.
Real Madrid stars Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are in the final six months of their deals
TONI KROOS (REAL MADRID)
Kroos is another of Real Madrid stalwarts with expiring deals, with the German midfielder having been a vital part of the club’s success since joining from Bayern Munich in 2014 for £20 million.
The 32-year-old has started all but two LaLiga matches he has been available for this season.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has expressed confidence that Kroos will extend his stay.
MARCO ASENSIO (REAL MADRID)
Ancelotti is also an advocate for Asensio, with the 26-year-old currently in his eighth season at the club.
The winger was expected to push for a move in the summer after seeing his game time become more limited, but both parties are claimed to be open to talks.
Barcelona star Pedri mischievously suggested last month that Asensio swap the Santiago Bernabeu for the Nou Camp.
Marco Asensio is out of contract at Real Madrid next summer and could look to move on
ADRIEN RABIOT (JUVENTUS)
Rabiot had looked destined to sign for Manchester United in the summer, until his wage demands put the club off. Despite starring for France at the World Cup, those same demands have reportedly put Juventus off now agreeing a new deal.
The 27-year-old has had admirers in the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all said to be interested.
France star Adrien Rabiot has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Premier League
MEMPHIS DEPAY (BARCELONA)
The Dutchman looks a certainty to leave Barcelona, whether in the January transfer window of the summer. The 28-year-old has played just three times this season due to a thigh injury, before featuring for Holland at the World Cup.
Roma, Juventus and his former side Manchester United have all been linked with the forward, with Barcelona reportedly keen to offload Depay amid their financial constraints.
Dutch winger Memphis Depay is expected to leave Barcelona in January or in the summer
THOMAS LEMAR (ATLETICO MADRID)
The Frenchman has yet to sign an extension to his deal at Atletico Madrid, despite claims in the summer he would renew until 2027.
Lemar has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season for the Spanish giants. The 27-year-old however is yet to complete 90 minutes and has failed to score.
The versatile attacker, who joined Diego Simeone’s side in 2018, has previously had interest from Premier League clubs.
Thomas Lemar has scored nine goals in 156 appearances for Atletico Madrid since 2018
HOUSSEM AOUAR (LYON)
Aouar has been the subject of interest from a host of Premier League and European clubs, with Arsenal and Tottenham previously holding an interest in the playmaker, while Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest were keen on a move last summer.
The midfielder could finally be set to move on from Lyon, where he has scored 41 goals in 222 appearances. Jose Mourinho’s Roma are thought to be the frontrunners to land the 24-year-old.
Midfielder Houssem Aouar has long been linked with a move away from Ligue 1 side Lyon
MOUSSA DEMBELE (LYON)
Dembele signed for the French side from Celtic in a £20 million move back in 2018, with the forward going on to score 69 goals in 158 games for the club.
The 27-year-old reportedly turned down an extension in the summer, while he has only scored twice in 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season. Dembele has been mentioned as a possible option for Manchester United on a cut-price deal in January, as the Premier League club seek attacking reinforcements after Ronaldo’s exit.
Lyon forward Moussa Dembele could leave seek a new challenge in the summer
MILAN SKRINIAR (INTER MILAN)
Skriniar has been one of the most impressive defenders in Europe over the last few years and has been the subject of interest from several top clubs, including Manchester United, PSG and Tottenham.
Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti previously claimed talks over a new deal for the 2021 Serie A winner were progressing well, however reports from Italy suggest discussions have stalled amid continuing interest from French champions PSG.
PSG are known to have a long-term interest in Inter Milan centre back Milan Skriniar
N’GOLO KANTE (CHELSEA)
Although he is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, Kante has struggled with injuries over the last 18 months, and has only taken to the field twice so far this season for Chelsea.
The 31-year-old had looked likely to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of his contract, with Barcelona among a number of clubs eyeing a move.
Chelsea have grown in confidence the midfielder will re-sign after holding positive talks, with the length of the contract the key issue to address.
Chelsea midfielders Jorginho and N’Golo Kante could move on from Stamford Bridge
JORGINHO (CHELSEA)
Chelsea are believes to be open to offering an extension to the midfielder, who has made over 200 appearances for the club since signing from Napoli in 2018. A return to the Serie A leaders is viewed as Jorginho’s first-choice should a new deal not be agreed.
His former Napoli and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri could offer another route back to Italy with Lazio, while Barcelona and Newcastle are thought to have an interest in the 31-year-old.
With Chelsea making an £112m move for Argentina star Enzo Fernandez, it remains to be seen whether both Jorginho and Kante will be offered fresh terms at Stamford Bridge.
Thiago Silva has featured regularly for Chelsea this season despite his advancing years
THIAGO SILVA (CHELSEA)
The Brazilian veteran has expressed his desire to remain at Chelsea, with 38-year-old claiming in October that his future needed to be resolved soon. Thiago Silva has expressed a desire to play until he is 40, but has acknowledged his minutes need to be managed.
Despite his advancing years, the centre back has started all but two Premier League matches this season.
Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the season
ILKAY GUNDOGAN (MANCHESTER CITY)
Gundogan was Pep Guardiola’s first signing as City manager in 2016, and has scored 51 goals for the side in 276 appearances in total.
The German international was named club captain in the summer after Fernandinho’s departure, and has has won four Premier League titles during his six years in Manchester, as well as four League Cups and an FA Cup.
The 32-year-old had reportedly been told he was free to leave the club last summer, but had suggested he would be willing to finish his career at the club. Gundogan previously stated he would like to play in either Turkey – his country of descent – or the US before he retires.
The arrival of Cody Gakpo has raised doubts over Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool future
ROBERTO FIRMINO (LIVERPOOL)
The arrival of Cody Gakpo in a £44million move has raised suggestions that Firmino’s time at Anfield could be drawing to a close. Jurgen Klopp insisted he ‘definitely’ wants the Brazilian forward to stay at the club, where he has been an integral part of their Premier League and Champions League winning teams.
The 31-year-old has scored seven goals and provided three assists from 13 Premier League appearances this campaign.
NABY KEITA (LIVERPOOL)
Keita has had a mixed spell five seasons Liverpool, with the 27-year-old having lifted the Premier League, Champions League and enjoyed domestic cup success. The Guinea international has largely been a fringe player in the triumphs due to being hampered by injuries.
Keita has started just 46 times in his 110 Premier League appearances for the club, with the midfielder having only made his first outing of the season on Boxing Day after a hamstring injury which has blighted his campaign.
With the Reds seeking to strengthen in midfield with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Keita’s time at the club could be approaching an end.
Naby Keita’s five-year spell at Liverpool has been heavily impacted by injuries
DAVID DE GEA (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Manchester United triggered one-year extensions to Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred and Diogo Dalot’s contracts last month, but the club are yet to take up the option with De Gea. It is understood that they could look to offer the 32-year-old a shorter-term deal, and ask him to significantly lower his £375,000-a-week wages to stay beyond the end of the season.
De Gea has expressed a desire to stay at the club where he has made over 500 appearances across the past 12 seasons, with the Spaniard the last member of their title winning side of 2013.
David de Gea is number one at Old Trafford, but his Man United contract is set to expire
WILFRIED ZAHA (CRYSTAL PALACE)
Since rejoining Palace in 2013 after his ill-fated spell at Manchester United, Zaha has been the club’s undoubted star. Palace have kept hold of their talisman despite regular interest, with Zaha having signed a five-year deal back in 2018.
With the Ivorian international having recently turned 30, he may consider the summer as a final chance to secure a move to a club offering Champions League football. Barcelona and Juventus are among the clubs to have a reported interest in Zaha, who has scored 89 goals in 445 appearances across two spells at Palace.
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Juventus
YOURI TIELEMANS (LEICESTER CITY)
A new Leicester deal has been on the table for Tielemans for nearly two years, but the Belgian international has been yet to put pen to paper.
Before the World Cup, the Foxes had a quiet confidence the 25-year-old would extend his stay, with boss Brendan Rodgers has praising Tielemans attitude amid the uncertainty. The star has also been handed the captain’s armband on seven occasions this campaign.
Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in the midfielder, with the Premier League leaders having previously been reluctant to pay the £25 million free demanded.
The Gunners could seek to test Leicester in January, with the Foxes at risk of losing their 2021 FA Cup final winning goalscorer for nothing in the summer.
Leicester could lose Youri Tielemans, who scored the winning goalin the 2021 FA Cup final
LEANDRO TROSSARD (BRIGHTON)
Trossard has enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Seagulls, with his hat-trick at Anfield against Liverpool the highlight to date.
The 28-year-old admitted he would want to swap the Amex for Stamford Bridge should the chance arise to follow his former manager Graham Potter. Trossard has insisted he would ‘want to play, not sit on the bench’ should he make a move.
The Belgian international, who has scored seven goals in 16 Premier League games this season, has apparent suitors in Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Newcastle.
Brighton do have the option to trigger a one-year extension to Trossard’s contract.
Leandro Trossard has been linked with a reunion with ex-Brighton boss Graham Potter at Chelsea
