17 high-profile players who will be out of contract in June
As things stand, the following stars will be allowed to leave their current employers for nothing at the end of the season
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
After a disappointing spell on loan at West Brom last season, Sturridge has been content to accept a bit-part role at Liverpool this time around. He’s already made some important contributions with goals against Chelsea and PSG, but the striker will surely want more regular minutes in 2019/20.
Liverpool will be loath to let Sturridge leave in January as they seek their first league title since 1990, but that could mean allowing him to walk away for nothing in the summer.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Contract talks between Ramsey and Arsenal broke down in October, paving the way for the Welshman to leave on a free next summer. Ramsey has claimed that he doesn't know why the offer of a new deal was withdrawn by the club, but reports suggest that the Gunners' new hierarchy were unwilling to match his wage demands.
Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and PSG are all thought to be eyeing the midfielder, whose 10-year association with Arsenal looks to be coming to an end.
NEWS Juventus confirm interest in Ramsey
Adrien Rabiot (PSG)
Rabiot has endured a difficult 2018, failing to make France’s World Cup squad and then in effect ruling himself out of the tournament by refusing to be placed on the standby list. To cap it off, then followed a contract impasse with PSG.
The midfielder’s decision to turn down three separate offers from the French giants compelled sporting director Antero Henrique to rule that Rabiot won’t play for the club again until his future is sorted. Barcelona, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked with the 23-year-old, who could leave Ligue 1 in January.
NEWS No Barça agreement with PSG star Rabiot
Ander Herrera (Man United)
Herrera has struggled to nail down a starting spot for much of his time at Old Trafford, though has been in the side rather than out of it recently – not least under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The former Athletic Club man is a popular figure among Manchester United fans, but as his 30th birthday approaches is yet to commit his future to the Red Devils.
The most recent reports from December suggested that an extension was 'close', but so far nothing has materialised.
Vincent Kompany (Man City)
A combination of injuries, age and declining form has seen Kompany relegated from guaranteed starter to backup centre-back in the last couple of years. The Belgian started fewer than half of Manchester City’s Premier League games last season, and he’s only played 467 of a possible 1,800 minutes this time around.
Kompany remains a massive influence inside the City dressing room, though, and the club may conclude that it’s worth offering him a one-year extension to a deal which is set to expire in June.
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Luiz has returned from the cold to re-establish himself as a key figure at Stamford Bridge, but his second spell at Chelsea could come to an end in six months’ time. The Blues have a policy whereby they only offer one-year extensions to players over the age of 30; Luiz, who turns 32 in April, is thought to be after a longer deal.
Chelsea appear reluctant to make an exception for the Brazilian, which means he could be plying his trade elsewhere when the 2018/19 campaign gets under way.
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
Monreal has been one of Arsenal’s most dependable performers in recent years, but they could be about to lose him on a free transfer. The Spaniard turns 33 in February but remains a regular starter when fit for the Gunners, who may have to ward off reported interest from Barcelona if they’re to keep the left-back at the club beyond this campaign.
Monreal and Arsenal have begun talks over an extension, but nothing has been agreed as the defender enters the final six months of his current deal.
Juan Mata (Man United)
One of the first signings of the post-Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, Mata has now played more games for Manchester United than any of his previous clubs. The playmaker has won three trophies since arriving from Chelsea in 2014, but he would have hoped to add a Premier League title to his honours list by this stage of his United career.
Mata said he was “very happy” in Manchester when asked about his contract situation in December, but speculation over his future will continue unless he pens a new deal.
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
There have been signs of decline in Godin’s displays for Atletico Madrid this season, prompting speculation that this could be his final season in the Spanish capital. The rugged Uruguayan centre-half has only started 11 La Liga matches in 2018/19, with Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez and Lucas Hernandez all competing for a spot in the backline.
Godin was linked with Manchester United last summer and is now supposedly attracting the attention of Milan, but Diego Simeone won’t want to lose the man who embodies his side’s fighting spirit.
