Mbappe, Liverpool and Man Utd targets among 20 best players out of contract in 2024…
Even if they are talking again, Kylian Mbappe remains a problem for PSG with his contract due to expire in less than a year. Here are 19 other stars in a similar position…
Here they are, ranked according to transfermarkt valuations, with 18 other stars in a similar position…
1) Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
PSG were dead against losing Mbappe for nothing in a year’s time so it seemed fortunate for them that the Saudis turned up off their t*ts. But the France star wasn’t interested in earning around £1.65million per day, preferring instead to wait for Real Madrid. In the meantime, PSG are left feeling somewhat powerless to stop their biggest asset leaving for nothing.
2) Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
The 20-year-old is said to be close to agreeing a new contract with Athletic Club but there is talk the release clause will remain at around £42million. Which is unlikely to deter the vultures, especially if he can regain his top form. Liverpool and Barcelona are known to be watching.
3) Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Rabiot was all set to be a free agent this summer until he and his ma agreed to kick the can down the road with Juve for another year, upon which time he will inevitably be linked with Manchester United again.
4) Tomas Soucek (West Ham)
The Czech midfielder wasn’t at his best last term and the Hammers have an option to extend his terms until 2025. There were reports they were open to offers but having lost Declan Rice, West Ham held fire and Soucek has been a regular this term, even if he was wretched at Brentford.
5) Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)
The Poland midfielder reportedly turned down offers from Saudi this summer while he waits for Napoli to propose a new contract. But the Serie A champions are said to be unwilling to offer the same terms he currently enjoys so compromises will have to be made. There was said to be progress, but nothing official yet.
6) Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis)
Liverpool, Milan and Napoli were said to have been eyeing up the Argentina midfielder, who admits there are still issues to resolve if he is to stay at Betis: “I’ll try to be as honest as possible: I’m content, I’m happy, the club wants me to continue, I also want to continue but we have to agree. There are certain things that have to be discussed.”
7) Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Man Utd)
Not long ago, the prospect of offering Wan-Bissaka a new deal would have been ludicrous, even for United, who have a history of renewing deadwood. But in the second half of last season, Ten Hag teased some form and confidence out of the right-back. United have a one-year option to extend and it is almost certain they will.
8) Pablo Fornals (West Ham)
Fornals was a target for Real Betis but reports in Spain suggested the 27-year-old was making big demands over wages. The 27-year-old was also a reported target for Saudi clubs but he will now sit down to discuss a renewal with the Hammers.
9) Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain)
An Achilles injury suffered in February means Kimpembe remains out of action so PSG are in no hurry to extend his deal, even if both parties are up for a renewal.
10) Rafa (Benfica)
Crystal Palace were understood to be keen on the 30-year-old forward while his contract at Benfica runs down. The Portugal international scored 14 goals and laid on 14 more last season.
11) Mario Hermoso (Atletico Madrid)
The defender has been linked with Manchester City, Forest and Saudi Arabia at various points this year but he remains at Atletico after fighting his way back into the first-team picture. “Contract expiring? I don’t think about it, I’m more worried about continuing to have minutes,” he said in November.
12) Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid)
The ex-Chelsea striker was reported to have agreed a new contract with Atletico until 2026 but seemingly nothing is official just yet. And Juve are said to be sniffing. Again.
13) Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo)
The Flamengo striker’s deal runs until December 2024 and though there was talk of a swap deal with Manchester United involving Antony, apparently there’s “zero chance” of that happening.
14) Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth)
Tottenham were keen to offer Bournemouth £20million during the last days of the summer window but the Cherries stood firm, even if they risk losing the defender for nothing next year. Spurs, Liverpool or Newcastle might give them a few quid in January.
15) Che Adams (Southampton)
Everton, Bournemouth and Wolves were all keen on offering Adams a return to the Premier League, with a fee of around £15million discussed. But he remains with Saints until January at least and there is a new deal on the table for the striker.
16) Mehdi Taremi (Porto)
AC Milan were working on a deal to sign the Iran striker in the last week of the summer window but an agreement was never reached after Porto reportedly changed their terms. They moved instead for Luka Jovic.
17) Jorginho (Arsenal)
The Italy midfielder has also had offers from Saudi but, according to his agent, they were rebuffed. Jorginho has also snubbed European interest, preferring instead to remain at the Emirates for now.
18) Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)
Leicester cleared out their midfield, selling James Maddison and Harvey Barnes for a combined £78million while getting Youri Tielemans’ wages off their books. There appears little haste to tie down Ndidi who, inevitably, was linked with a reunion with Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
19) Alex Meret (Napoli)
The Napoli keeper’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season but the two parties agreed to kick the can down the road for another year. Napoli have the option of extending that deal for another 12 months to 2025 if they so choose.
20) Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
As they have for Wan-Bissaka, United have the option to extend the Sweden defender’s terms for an extra 12 months, which they will inevitably do since their other defenders are as robust as papier-mache.
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