With many clubs still adapting to life in a pandemic, many will be strapped for cash in the upcoming summer transfer window. On top of that, several big-name players are now entering the final six months of their contract and are free to discuss terms with teams abroad.
The Premier League is currently full of star-studded players approaching the end of their current deals and clubs have a huge decision on their hands. Do they cash in on their assets in January, swallow their pride and pay the players what they are demanding or risk losing the player for nothing this summer?
The clock is ticking with final decisions to be made, and here is a list of 24 out of contract Premier League players set to be free agents this summer. Who should your club sign?
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
One of the top central midfielders in the Premier League, perhaps even the world. Georginio Wijnaldum goes about his business like a silent assassin, you don’t notice him much until he either pops up with a goal or is not starting and you wonder where he is.
Links with Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona to link up with fellow countryman Ronald Koeman, highlight just how good a player the 30-year-old is. Wijnaldum has certainly come a long way since his relegation with Newcastle United and if he can’t agree terms at Anfield he seems set for a big summer move away.
How we feeling today Reds?
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— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) July 23, 2020
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s all-time top scorer hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since January 21st 2020 and has been hampered with a knee injury for months. However, it is still difficult to imagine Manchester City without Aguero.
Aguero gave City fans perhaps their most famous and memorable moment ever with his last-minute title winner against QPR. With 256 goals in all competitions since joining in 2011 Aguero may have passed his peak but City could do much worse than giving him at least another season at the Etihad.
If not, a move to Serie A or MLS may be on the cards for the Argentine.
Edinson Cavani (Manchester United)
Edinson Cavani has proved himself a deadly weapon at Manchester United, especially from the bench. The Uruguayan has been a talisman whenever called upon and has shown that, at 33, he still has a lot to offer.
Cavani has done little wrong (on the pitch) to warrant not getting at least another 12 months at Old Trafford where he could do what Zlatan Ibrahimovic did winning multiple trophies and being a figurehead for the younger players to learn from. In the meantime, after a spell of good form Manchester United’s odds to win the title are shortening.
Eric Garcia (Manchester City)
One of the longest drawn-out sagas may be set for a conclusion with Eric Garcia’s contract set to expire at Manchester City. He has reportedly agreed personal terms with Barcelona, according to The Guardian.
Still just 20 years old, his minutes have been limited this season through the partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias. Garcia may be able to settle when he’s home in Catalonia and we could see a great ball-playing centre-back. Barcelona have missed someone of that calibre for a while now.
Demarai Gray (Leicester City)
Leicester City seemed to have struck gold when they signed Demarai Gray as a promising 20-year old. However, after just 108 minutes of senior football this season and just 18 in the Premier League it seems his fate is sealed.
Brendan Rodgers has been open in the media about Gray’s future lying away from the King Power Stadium. The winger has managed just 10 goals since 2016 and a fresh start seems necessary to revitalise his career. A move away in January seems likely as the Foxes want to cash in on the 24-year-old with Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Olympique Marseille the favourites to land Gray.
Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Romain Saiss has come through a difficult period where he was replaced by Max Kilman but has proven his worth at both ends of the pitch with two goals in 12 games this campaign.
Saiss was part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers side which won promotion from the Championship and has been a stalwart alongside Conor Coady. At 30 years old he has a lot still to offer and seems likely to end up with a new deal but would certainly not be short of suitors in England or abroad if he was to leave the Midlands.
Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
The latest full-back off the Crystal Palace production line is Tyrick Mitchell who kept Patrick Van Aanholt out the side before an injury disrupted his season.
He’s performed above expectations this season, if not to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s level. However, he’s a comfortable defender and doesn’t seem eager for a move away so this would be a surprise if Mitchell was allowed to walk away in the summer. Rumours are abound that he has privately agreed on a new deal.
Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
Olivier Giroud seemed set for another season as a backup striker under Frank Lampard but it’s been the complete opposite. Giroud has managed nine goals in 16 appearances including five in four games in the Champions League.
Giroud is not short of suitors in the Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1. He needs game time to ensure he gets a spot in France’s Euro 2020 squad this summer. The Frenchman can lead any line and play in numerous formations so it will be interesting where he ends up in the summer after proving he still has plenty to offer this campaign.
Le Fameux « Club des 100 »
#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/zMN1S7o2i1
— Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) October 8, 2020
Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Juan Mata has said he still wants to play on for a few more years and he could follow a similar path to David Silva. He’s been a treat to watch since he arrived in the Premier League back in 2011.
Having been used sporadically this campaign (10 appearances) and mainly as a mature head amongst a relatively young Manchester United squad, it could be a great end to his career if he returned to Valencia in the summer, back where he made his name.
Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace)
Patrick van Aanholt is a player who divides opinions as he thrives going forwards but has been suspect in his final third. The Dutchman has so far refused and turned down Crystal palace’s contract offers.
It seems likely he won’t sign a new deal and will happily walk away a free man at the end of the campaign. We could see him go to the Eredivise which is a very attacking league and would suit his style of play and even play as a winger.
Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace)
The third Crystal Palace player in this list which is a worrying sign, considering their manager is also out of contract at the end fo the season along with 15+ players. Vicente Guaita has been an under-appreciated keeper outside of Selhurst Park during his entire spell in England.
The Eagles are currently in negotiations with the Spaniard to tie him down to a new deal and he seems at home in south London so it may only be a matter of time before he puts pen to paper.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Danny Welbeck has only just got settled on the South coast but he is almost at the end of the journey. Despite playing just nine games he is already their joint-third top scorer with three goals.
He offers more than just goals as well and if he’s not on high wages Brighton & Hove Albion could do a lot worse than offering the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker a new deal. It all depends if he can stay fit for the rest of the season after his stint at Watford was overshadowed by injuries.
Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
A leader both on and off the pitch and the fact Thiago Silva has been learning English signals Lampard wants him around for at least another campaign, even if it’s to be a figurehead in the dressing room.
A world-class player when at PSG, his best days are now behind him but Silva is still organising and performing better than most other centre-backs at Chelsea.
Lukas Fabianski (West Ham United)
Since joining the Hammers in 2018 following Swansea City’s relegation he has been one of the most consistent performers between the sticks. Now entering the twilight of his career West Ham United may look towards the future.
An undoubtedly top keeper who would slot into many teams across Europe and will be happy with what he’s done during his Premier League career. Fabianski is a natural shot-stopper who still has a few years left in him, maybe in a less intense league and could see his final years out in MLS or somewhere similar.
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
Ryan Bertrand is Southampton’s captain and should probably have more than his 19 caps for England considering the standard he’s been at for several years now. He’s a leader but has also regressed in recent years with his age and pace not as suitable to the Saints’ pressing style.
Bertrand is a great player to have around and still a top full-back. You’d be pushed to find someone who could perform at Bertrands’ level as well as his commitment to the club. He is settled in Southampton and would be a bizarre move if he was to not sign a new deal.
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
A true master of the dark arts. Fernandinho appears to commit so many fouls without being booked and has provided much protection to a usually fragile Manchester City defence.
He’ll turn 36-years old in May and it seems time to depart the Etihad which has been his home since 2013, making 232 appearances. It seems fitting for the midfield general to ply his trade in Brazil as he sees out the latter years of his career. It’s a competitive league which would allow Fernandinho to showcase he still has what it takes to perform at a high intensity.
Max Meyer (free agent)
He arrived as one of the most exciting talents to come out of Germany. Now, he’s a free agent after failing to make the grade under Roy Hodgson.
Maximillian Meyer made just 46 appearances since joining Crystal Palace before his deal was mutually terminated. He seems destined for a move to Germany, potentially a return to Schalke 04. There’s no doubting Meyer has potential, he just hasn’t been given the chance or has not been able to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League it seems.
Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United)
For a player that was not given a chance by many Newcastle United fans this season after a poor 2017/18 campaign, Jacob Murphy has been one of the Magpies’ standout players.
His versatility and ability to beat a man and deliver a good ball has impressed Steve Bruce. Still only 25 years old and a Newcastle fan, Murphy has proved he can perform in the Premier League and it would be a big shock on Tyneside if he was not offered a new deal.
John Lundstram (Sheffield United)
John Lundtsram has been refusing to sign a new contract at Sheffield United after his great campaign last season, however, after the festive period, his form dwindled.
However, he has been lucky to get regular starts during the last 12 months. He might be tempted to sign a new deal if the Blades still want him but also may see himself as a Premier League player now, something he won’t be if he stays with Sheffield United. Lundtarm could potentially fit in with Sean Dyche at Burnley, an industrial midfielder that gives his all.
Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)
Dwight Gayle seems to be a player that needs a league between the Championship and the Premier League. He’s too good for the former, but not quite at the level of the latter.
Gayle has managed 11 goals in 59 Premier League games since joining Newcastle United. Now 30-years old and Callum Wilson the main man he could be set for a reunion with West Bromwich Albion as they look to avoid the drop this campaign. If they do go down, they’d have one of the bets Championship strikers of all time as he’s managed 23 in 33 for the Baggies during the 18/19 season and 23 in 26 for Newcastle during the 16/17 campaign.
David Luiz (Arsenal)
David Luiz started all but one game in the league last season and has started six out of eight this campaign. He’ll be 34-years old in April but has seemed to be a trusted part of Mikel Arteta’s plan this season.
If they want to keep him onside and playing well they may need to stump up at least another 12 months to keep Luiz at the Emirates. Arsenal will want fresher faces coming through, but to have a winner in your ranks like Luiz is something you can rarely buy.
— David Luiz (@DavidLuiz_4) August 29, 2020
Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)
Amazingly, this is the fifth Palace player on the list. Nathaniel Clyne has shown great strength to come back from injuries and setbacks and seems at home at Selhurst Park.
Still the better side of 30, Clyne would be a great player to get tied down to at least a 24-month deal considering the undoubted quality he still possesses. He also knows the league well and has the experience to help players such as Tyrcik Mitchell.
Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)
A fall from grace would be putting it lightly for Danny Rose’s career. He failed to impress on loan at Newcastle last season and win a permanent deal. Therefore, he’s spent the first half of this campaign playing no football.
Rose seems set in stone that he will run down his contract at Tottenham Hotspur. Where he ends up next is anyone’s guess but he remains a left-back with ability and an England international.
DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
A strange sequence of events resulted in DeAndre Yedlin remaining on Tyneside. The defender wanted to leave, Newcastle were happy for him to leave and nothing materialised.
He’s somehow worked himself back into Steve Bruce’s plans and seems to be the first choice right-back. It may not be out of the question to see Yedlin remain on Tyneside for another year or two before moving onto his inevitable return to USA.
However, it does seem likely he will depart after five successful campaigns on Tyneside with Turkey or a lucrative designated player move to MLS on the cards.
Words: Aaron Hindhaugh
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The post Free transfers: 24 out of contract players your club could sign for free this summer appeared first on Just Football.
