With football in the midst of a crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic and most countries in lockdown or limbo, June 30th is now a ticking timebomb for both players and clubs who wish to be able to finish the season in the normal manner.
Hundreds of players around Europe currently face uncertain futures as they have contracts expiring this summer and no clear return date for football. The impact of this on the return of the season is huge, as clubs and governing bodies hoping to complete the season will ideally want to do so with their squads intact.
Though FIFA has advised that contracts should be temporarily extended until a date when seasons can safely conclude, players face a tricky dilemma: stay and sign a temporary extension to finish the season, potentially jeopardising a future move? Or move on June 30th when the contract ends and become a free agent, leaving the former club to play out the rest of the season without them?
With the situation on a knife-edge, particularly for players in the lower leagues where hundreds more contracts are set to expire than in the Premier League or Europe’s top divisions, let’s look at 25 top players out of contract this summer. They could play a huge deciding role in how any possible return to football plays out…
Out of Contract Players around Europe as of June 30th 2020
David Silva (Manchester City)
One player who is certain to leave his club this summer – or when the season ends – is David Silva. Undoubtedly one of Manchester City’s best ever players, the 34-year-old has decided this will be his last campaign with the reigning champions after ten years and over 300 games for the club.
Where Silva may go is unknown though with potential options being a move back to Spain, he could also follow his international teammate Andres Iniesta’s lead and join a side in Japan or even China, or Silva may just decide to leave on a high and retire.
Willian (Chelsea)
Willian has been a key figure for Frank Lampard’s team this season, but dispute over the length of the contract being offered means Willian is likely to depart Stamford Bridge. At 31, Willian is entering the later stages of his career but rumoured interest from Barcelona and from his old boss Jose Mourinho at Spurs means a big move could be on the cards for the Brazilian.
It seems he is one player unlikely to agree a short-term contract extension past June 30th, so if the season does return Chelsea may be forced to play without him.
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Clik here to view.— Chelsea FC – #StayHomeSaveLives (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2020
Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Dries Mertens has been a staple for Napoli since joining from PSV for 2013 and became the clubs joint record goal scorer in February.
Now he has achieved that record, the Belgian could look to leave the south of Italy. He will not be short of suitors though and there were claims that Chelsea were looking to sign the forward in the January transfer window.
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
It’s safe to say that Ryan Fraser has not had the same impact for Bournemouth this season as he did last season. Fraser has only managed one goal and four assists in the league meaning that any interest that was there last summer may have diminished now.
However, Fraser is still only 26 years old and rumours continue to link the Scottish international with a move to Arsenal. Now that clubs have less money to spend his value is now conversely higher as he can be signed for free.
Edinson Cavani (PSG)
Edinson Cavani has constantly been linked with a move away from PSG in recent years and this summer will likely be the time he leaves. Cavani has seen his play time decrease due to the arrival of Mauro Icardi and with Neymar and Kylian Mbappé both still around too, Cavani will look to secure regular first team football. A proven goal scorer, the Uruguayan will be monitored closely with rumours ranging from a move to South America, to a big money return to Napoli.
Esfuerzo, Determinación, Compromiso, Solidaridad, Respeto, Superación, Perseverancia… Image may be NSFW.
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Effort, Détermination, Engagement, Solidarité, Respect, Dépassement de soi, Persévérance… Image may be NSFW.
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Sforzo, Determinazione, Impegno, Solidarietà, Rispetto, Superaciones, Perseveranza… Image may be NSFW.
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— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) February 26, 2020
Jan Vertonghen (Spurs)
Despite the arrival of Jose Mourinho and his international teammate Toby Alderweireld signing a new deal, Jan Vertonghen has still been unable to agree an extension and is set to leave the north London club when his contract expires.
Now 32, Vertonghen has been in and out the Spurs side this season but his experience will be a key asset to teams looking for new signings. AS Roma and Inter Milan are rumoured to be among his admirers, but he may be a player open to temporarily extending his contract past June 30th to help Spurs out for the rest of the season.
Let the season commence Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.#COYS pic.twitter.com/7mb2PhWjIY
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) August 4, 2019
Thomas Meunier (PSG)
Also appearing set to follow Cavani out the exit door at PSG is Belgian full back Thomas Meunier. Meunier has made just 16 appearances in the league for the reigning French champions and is yet to be offered a new deal. Several of the Premier League’s top clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with a move but Meunier has also spoken of his desire to remain at PSG. Will he agree to stay past June 30th?
Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund)
One player who has announced his intention to leave is Mario Götze. Götze has found himself on the fringes of the Borussia Dortmund side in the past few seasons, playing only 13 games in the Bundesliga this season. Still only 27, Götze has plenty of time left in his career and one possible move could reunite him with his former manager Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
An outgoing at Liverpool though will be midfielder Adam Lallana. The quality and performances of Liverpool’s midfield have meant Lallana has dropped down the pecking order and is rarely used from the start by the reigning European champions. Lallana is strongly linked with a move to join his former manager Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City. With his contract expiring, will he stick around past June 30th and extend his deal to be able to lift the Premier League title?
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— Adam Lallana (@officialAL20) May 10, 2017
Artem Dzyuba (Zenit St Petersburg)
Big Russian forward Artem Dzyuba could be a steal for a side lacking in goals, with his contract at Zenit expiring. Dzyuba has been in fantastic form for Zenit with 13 goals in 21 games for the Russian league leaders, making him the top scorer in the league. Zenit will be hopeful of tying Dzyuba down still but at 31 Dzyuba may feel it his last chance for a test away from his native Russia.
Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Chilean international Charles Aranguiz could leave Bayer Leverkusen after making over 100 appearances for the German side. Aranguiz has started 15 times for Leverkusen this season but has struggled with injuries. A move to Turkey has been suggested but reports in late March suggest Aranguiz could yet sign a three-year extension to his current deal.
SEE ALSO: ARCHIVE – Charles Aranguiz player profile
Thiago Silva (PSG)
Club captain and experienced Brazilian Thiago Silva is yet another PSG player seemingly heading for the exit door. Silva had reiterated his hopes of agreeing a new deal late last year but no deal has been agreed. Silva’s agent has added fuel to the flame by suggesting his client could return to AC Milan. Will he stick around to see if the season in France will resume?
Tanguy Kouassi (PSG)
Despite only breaking into the side in December, centre-back Tanguy Kouassi could leave PSG with the 17-year-old yet to sign a new contract. PSG will be desperate to retain Kouassi and even more so if they lose the likes of Silva too. Kouassi’s age and potential will likely attract many suitors should the teenager leave the Parc des Princes, and there are strong rumours RB Leipzig will swoop to sign him.
Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
Veteran striker Olivier Giroud looks to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge despite coming back into the Chelsea team in the weeks before COVID-19. Giroud, 33, will be keen to play first team football with an eye on making France’s squad for next summer’s European Championships, something Chelsea will be unable to offer.
Will he choose to stay past June 30th? Or take a chance and leave before the season resumes?
Another great team performance today Image may be NSFW.
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Thanks for your support! Image may be NSFW.
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Clik here to view.#CHEEVE #CFC pic.twitter.com/JGpN5DHlTE
— Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) March 8, 2020
Walter Benitez (Nice)
Walter Benitez’s performances for Nice have seen him help his side climb to 6th in Ligue 1 with Benitez also preventing more goals than any keeper in the division according to xG data. Nice won’t want to lose the Argentinian though with Benitez having started 26 of the clubs 28 league games.
Leo Santos (Corinthians)
Brazilian Under-20 international Leo Santos could be the latest South American to make the move into one of Europe’s top leagues. The defender is highly thought of and despite injury limiting his playing time this season he will still be monitored by the top sides. Rumours have previously linked Santos to Arsenal, where he would join his ex-teammate Gabriel Martinelli if he made the move.
Benjamin Stambouli (Schalke 04)
Ex-Spurs and PSG player Benjamin Stambouli is likely to leave Schalke after four seasons with the German club. The Frenchman has only made nine appearances this season due to a foot injury but was impressing with performances prior to his absence. Stambouli can be deployed in both midfield and defence and this versatility along with his experience could make him a wise investment.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United)
Back from a long-term injury that kept him out for most of the season, the break in football came at the worst possible time for Timothy Fosu-Mensah‘s Manchester United career. The defender is out of contract in the summer, and though United have the option to extend his deal for a further season, it’s thought that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to give him game time in the final few months of the campaign before making a decision on whether to trigger that new deal or not.
Now 22, Fosu-Mensah made his Premier League debut for United in the same game as Marcus Rashford in 2016. Injuries have curtailed his progress however, and it remains to be seen what Solskjaer decides to do. Out of contract this summer, he could be available for free before the season has a chance to end.
Flashback friday #Facup big goal @MarcusRashford Image may be NSFW.
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— Timothy fosu-mensah (@tfosumensah) April 3, 2020
Matty Longstaff (Newcastle United)
After bursting on the scene with a goal on his debut against Manchester United, Matty Longstaff looked to be a future star at Newcastle United. However, contract talks have stalled and currently with takeover rumours increasing, Longstaff could yet walk away from Newcastle unless he is offered an improved deal.
Pedro (Chelsea)
A consistent performer for the blues since his move from Barcelona, Pedro looks set to exit Chelsea with his deal almost up. Pedro has only played nine league games for Chelsea this season and with Frank Lampard favouring younger players he is now surplus to requirements. A move back to Spain seems most likely with rumoured interest from Athletico Madrid.
Jose Callejon (Napoli)
Another Spanish winger who will be available for free is Napoli’s Jose Callejon. Despite starting 19 times for the Azzurri, Callejon is expected to leave after 7 seasons in Italy. At 33 his options could be limited but a return to Spain is possible. Considering his involvement for Napoli this season though, it would not be a huge surprise if they attempt to convince Callejon to stay.
Japhet Tanganga (Spurs)
A breakthrough year for academy graduate Japhet Tanganga has seen him emerge in Spurs’ first team under Jose Mourinho, who has given the 21-year-old opportunities to shine. Tanganga has looked promising in his six Premier League appearances so far, featuring at left-back, right-back and centre-back after making his league debut in January against Liverpool.
Tanganga is out of contract in the summer though and terms are yet to be agreed. It remains to be seen whether any other top club has seen enough and fancies their chances of luring him away from Tottenham.
Layvin Kurzawa (PSG)
A further player with his future up in the air at PSG is French international Layvin Kurzawa. The left back has only started nine times for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season often playing second fiddle to Juan Bernat in the starting eleven. Kurzawa had been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal but recent reports suggest Kurzawa could sign a new deal at PSG.
Shane Long (Southampton)
Irish journeyman striker Shane Long could find himself joining a new side once again with Long’s time at Southampton coming to an end. The forward has not been prolific for the Saints managing just two goals in 19 appearances so far this season. Southampton already have Danny Ings and Che Adams at the club so Long could decide to move for regular first team football.
Viktor Kovalenko (Shakhtar Donetsk)
An intriguing option for sides looking to add some flair could be the availability of attacking midfielder Viktor Kovalenko from Shakhtar Donetsk. At just 24 years old the Ukranian international has plenty of time on his side and has shown he can add goals with Kovalenko netting at least five goals in the each of the past three seasons for the Ukrainian side.
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The post Out of contract footballers: 25 free agents from Lallana at Liverpool to Spurs’ Tanganga – all with a big decision to make appeared first on Just Football.