Salah, Trent, Neymar, son? 12 stars who could move for free in the summer of 2025

Once January rolls around in any season, players with just six months left on their contracts are free to talk to other clubs about securing a pre-contract move.

Sometimes players cancel their deals, while others try to plan their future in advance, knowing which club they will turn to when August rolls around.

Every year, thousands of players come to the end of their current contracts – some high-profile, others further down the football pyramid.

Ahead of this summer, there are several high-profile stars who could be at different clubs in the next six months, including a trio Liverpool players as we look at the best players entering the final six months of their contracts…

1

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

Trent Alexander-ArnoldThe future was the main theme of this season. The Englishman could end his association with Anfield this summer, and with Real Madrid showing plenty of admiration, could he leave the club?

The La Liga side has identified the defender as a priority target, and Carlo Ancelotti could even make an offer to bring the Liverpool star to Madrid as early as this month, especially given that they could get him for a cheap price.

Alexander-Arnold has made over 330 senior appearances for his boyhood club, winning Premier League and Champions League in the process. Will he be tempted to move to Spain or can Arne Slot convince him to stay? Only time will tell.

2

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah is another Liverpool player who could leave the club for nothing in a few short months. The Anfield talisman has been in outstanding form during the current campaign, pushing Sloto’s side to the top Premier League table.

At the beginning of the year, he indicated that he wanted to go out topped off by winning the League Two title, seemingly providing a glimpse into his future, which increasingly looks set to be away from Merseyside.

3

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

From the Liverpool trio, Virgil van Dijk he seems the most likely player to sign a new contract.

The defender will play until the start of the 2025/26 season. turn 34 years old. Could a one-year extension give Slott some experience in the center of the defense before his second year?

If it were not so, the club would save an incredible amount £220k a weekwhich could allow him to bring in a few new players instead.

4

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne has often been at the heart of Manchester City’s success since joining in the summer of 2015. Given their form this term and the fact that an era may be coming to an end, will the Belgian leave this summer?

WITH over 400 appearances for the EtihadDe Bruyne was their talisman, never more so than during the 2022/23 season. when they won the triple title. Indeed, he registered 41 goal contributions for the club that year.

He will turn 34 before the start of next season, but any club in the world would love to sign him.

5

Neymar

Al-Hilal

It’s hard to believe that Neymar cost PSG in 2017 an astronomical fee of £200 million to sign Neymar from Barcelona, ​​and his move to the French capital is expected to turn him into the best player in the world.

Seven-and-a-half years later and the Brazilian will be a free agent this summer as his contract at current club Al-Hilal expires, having failed to live up to the promise made during those early years in Spain.

A series of injuries has reduced the player to fleeting moments of genius since, but on his day there is no doubting his talent.

6

Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich joined Bayern Munich in 2015 after shining for RB Leipzig in the German second division. He has since gone from being one of the club’s most talented players to captain, winning eight Bundesliga titles along with the Champions League during his spell.

The German international has entered the last six months of his contract and he will certainly not be short of offers. Clubs like PSG and Barcelona followed his situation in Bavaria.

Back in November, it was reported that it was close to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club, but nothing came of it after this news. With the January window now open, he is free to talk to other clubs.

7

Heung-min’s son

Tottenham Hotspur

The talisman of Tottenham Hotspur Heung-min’s son leaving at the end of the season would be a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou and his ambitions at the club.

The 32-year-old has been with Spurs since 2015, making over 400 performances and scored 125 goals for the club at the time of writing.

Son has been one of the bright sparks for the north Londoners this term amid their inconsistency in the Premier League. If he were to sign an extension to his current contract, it would certainly help his manager and those around him.

8

Leroy Sane

Bayern Munich

It may have come as a surprise to many when Leroy Sané swapped Manchester City for Bayern Munich, especially with the Pep Guardiola era in full swing, but the German has been a key player for the Bavarians.

Indeed, at the time of writing, it is registered 104 goal contributions – 53 goals and 51 assists – in 194 appearances, an involvement rate of one goal every 1.8 games, which is a spectacular record.

The winger is still only 28, meaning if the club can secure his signature this month for a knockdown fee (or for free in the summer), they will be signing a player who is still at the peak of his powers.

9

Jonathan David

Lille

Many believe Lille made a huge mistake by letting star striker Jonathan David’s contract expire before the summer, especially given his current the market value is EUR 45 million (£37m), meaning they are likely to lose out on a significant transfer fee.

There seems to be no shortage of offers for the Canadian striker. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claims that two Serie A sides have made offers, while four Premier League sides are said to be interested in striking a pre-contract agreement with David before next season.

They won’t make a hasty decision as the player will focus on giving his all for Lille over the next few months, but whoever manages to sign him will secure one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.

10

Alphonso Davies

Bayern Munich

While most of the players on this list are those approaching the final stages of their careers, the same cannot be said for Alphonse Davies.

The defender is only 24 years old collected over 200 performances for Bayern Munich, winning everything that was offered during that time.

Towards the end of 2024, it was reported that Davies could sign extension with the German heavyweights, but with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid sniffing around, Bayern will be hoping to make up their minds sooner rather than later.

11

Ferland Mendy

Real Madrid

Perhaps not as high-profile as others on this list, but Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy would still be a huge asset for a team looking to improve their back four.

Having won two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns, Mendy has nothing more to prove in Spain, with Arsenal and Liverpool earlier showing interest to the French.

He will turn 30 before the start of the 2025/26 season but can still offer a lot to a club looking for a consistent and solid left-back.

12

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton

He looks like Dominic Calvert-Lewin going towards the last six months of his career at Everton, and several high-profile clubs are expected to bid for his signature.

AS Monaco is just one of those interested in the England striker, with this month representing the Toffees’ last chance to cash in on a player who was one of the club’s prized assets just a few years ago.

Milan, Newcastle United and Arsenal are also monitoring his situation. A lot will depend on whether the centre-forward wants to stay in the Premier League or move abroad to try something new.

If Everton receive a decent offer in January, it would be foolish to turn it down.