Cedric Soares (Southampton)
Previously considered one of the Premier League’s best full-backs outside the big six, Cedric is no longer even guaranteed a starting spot at Southampton. Many thought he would leave the club in the summer having spent the second half of last term on loan at Inter, but he will surely leave St Mary’s behind ahead of 2020/21.
Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen)
A key cog in Chile’s greatest ever team, Aranguiz helped his country reach the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup and win back-to-back Copas America in 2015 and 2016. The all-action midfielder had the chance to join Leicester in between those two continental triumphs, but missed out on the Foxes’ title-winning campaign in favour of a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
Aranguiz may not turn down a Premier League offer for a second time, should one emerge next summer. The Chilean has suffered injury problems in recent years, but at 30 years old he’s not finished yet.
Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Mertens recently overtook Diego Maradona in Napoli’s all-time top scorer list, and he’s now just five short of Marek Hamsik in top spot. The Belgian should break the record this season; if he does, he may consider his work in Naples complete by the time his contract expires next summer.
The 32-year-old forward is coming towards the end of his career, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to introducing the ball to the net, with seven strikes in 10 games so far this season.
Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
It wasn’t too long ago that Bailly was hailed as Manchester United’s leading centre-back, but some terrible luck with injuries means the Ivorian could be released next summer. That isn’t to say his Premier League career will also be over, though; still only 25, the Ivorian has already shown he can thrive in England’s top tier.
Reports in August suggested that United would offer Bailly a new deal to protect his value, but there has been progress made since then. As things stand the former Villarreal stopper will be available on a free in less than eight months’ time.
Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan)
Having been one of Milan’s rare bright spots in recent years, Bonaventura has endured a frustrating 2019/20 up to now, making just a single start in Serie A. New manager Stefano Piolo says the Italian will feature more often under his stewardship, but that might not be enough to persuade Bonaventura to extend his San Siro career.
Having spent his entire career in his home country, a move abroad at the age of 30 might not be on the midfielder’s radar. There are, however, several Premier League clubs who would benefit from Bonaventura’s invention.
Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
You've probably heard by now but Eriksen will be a free agent next summer. Although the Denmark international was keen to seek a new challenge last summer, he now looks set to see out the season in north London.
His performances for Tottenham this term have been disappointing, but Eriksen won’t be short of suitors in mid-2020. Creative and intelligent, the 27-year-old favours a move to Spain but may ultimately settle for a Premier League rival if Real Madrid cool their interest.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Vertonghen is another Spurs player in the final year of his deal. The Belgium international reportedly held contract talks with the north Londoners last month, but there appears to have been little progress and a departure next summer is looking increasingly likely.
Inter boss Antonio Conte is a fan of Vertonghen’s, and there have been rumours of a move to San Siro in recent days. But with so much Premier League experience under his belt, don’t be surprised if another Premier League club attempts to keep the 32-year-old in the division.
Jose Callejon (Napoli)
Callejon left Real Madrid in 2013 in search of more game time, and his wish has certainly been granted at Napoli: in his six full seasons at the club, the Spaniard has missed only six Serie A encounters.
His time at the Stadio San Paolo could be nearing the end, however, with Callejon out of contract next summer. Now 32, he’s still a key man but may nevertheless seek pastures new in 2020.
Layvin Kurzawa (PSG)
Kurzawa has now been at PSG for more than four years, but he’s never nailed down a regular starting spot in that time. Injuries haven’t helped at times, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that the left-back has failed to live up to expectations at the Parc des Princes.
Currently playing second fiddle to Juan Bernat, Kurzawa will almost certainly depart PSG next summer. An excellent attacking full-back who’s still just 27, the Frenchman will attract plenty of interest from England and beyond.
Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
It can take a few seconds for the mind to process the fact that Gotze is still just 27 years old. The German has had an eventful career since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, controversially swapping Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich in 2013, before returning to Signal Iduna Park three years later. And that’s not to mention scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final.
A metabolic illness threatened to derail the attacking midfielder’s career at one point, but he’s now healthy again and will be desperate to fulfil his early promise. If Dortmund decide against offering him fresh terms, a move to the Premier League could be an option.
Nacho (Real Madrid)
A versatile, hard-working defender who never kicks up a fuss if he’s not starting, Nacho is the ideal squad player at a club like Madrid. He may want to be more than that next season, though, with his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu nearing the end.
Indeed, Nacho turns 30 in January and will probably be keen for more regular minutes at this stage of his career. If he’s available for nothing, expect plenty of Premier League clubs to make a move.
Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool)
Previously in competition with Kyle Walker for England’s right-back spot, Clyne has become the forgotten man for both club and country. The former Southampton man has played just seven Premier League games for Liverpool since 2016/17, with injury problems and the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold pushing him closer to the Anfield exit door.
Clyne doesn’t turn 29 until April, and as long as he can prove his fitness the defender still has plenty to offer mid-table Premier League clubs.
Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea)
Should Pedro leave Chelsea shortly before his 33rd birthday next summer, a return to Spain would be the most logical next step. The forward’s experience – he’s won six league titles, three Champions Leagues, a Europa League and four domestic cups across his time with Barcelona and the Blues – would make him a fine asset for most teams in La Liga.
However, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Pedro may wish to extend his Premier League stay. He may no longer be capable of starting week in, week out at the highest level, but the Spain international is exactly the type of player every manager would love to have in his ranks.
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
Fraser was heavily linked with Arsenal in the summer, but no move came about and he began the campaign a Bournemouth player. The Cherries are reportedly keen to offer him a new deal in order to prevent him leaving for nothing at the end of the campaign, but Fraser’s recent admission that he is frustrated with his current role in the team makes an exit more likely.
The winger scored seven goals and provided 14 assists in the Premier League last term, and will be an attractive proposition to clubs higher up the division given he’s still only 25.
Stefan Savic (Atletico Madrid)
Savic had a brief spell at Manchester City earlier in his career, but the centre-back was restricted to just 12 Premier League outings under Roberto Mancini in 2011/12. He’s represented Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid since then, but could leave the latter when his contract expires in June.
Diego Simeone will probably attempt to persuade the Montenegrin to stick around at the Wanda Metropolitano, but offers from around Europe – including from the Premier League – would no doubt be of interest to the 28-year-old.
Thomas Meunier (PSG)
Meunier gave an interview in the summer in which he professed his desire to sign a new contract at PSG, but negotiations have yet to start – which suggests the French giants have a different view.
An attack-minded right-back who loves to get forward at every opportunity – he has also played as a wing-back and even further forward – Meunier would improve a number of Premier League squads. Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked in the past, and both clubs could join the race for the Belgian’s signature next summer.
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
Given how well he’s performed for Tottenham over a number of years, it was curious that no club took advantage of a £25m release clause in Alderweireld’s contract in the summer. The centre-back will surely attract more interest if, as expected, he becomes a free agent next June.
Like many of his Spurs team-mates, the Belgian hasn’t been at his best at the start of 2019/20. He does, however, have plenty of credit in the bank from recent campaigns, and at 30 years old he still has several seasons left in him.
Willian (Chelsea)
It’s hard to imagine Willian pulling on the colours of another Premier League club given his lengthy association with Chelsea, but the same could have been said for David Luiz – one of the winger’s best friends in football – before he joined Arsenal in the summer.
Willian has made it clear that he would love to stay at Stamford Bridge, but that decision might be taken out of his hands, particularly as Frank Lampard continues to promote young players. Perhaps a reunion with Luiz in north London isn’t entirely out of the question.
