This summer sees some of the biggest names in football out of contract at their current clubs, many of which have made it clear they intend to move on and play elsewhere. That’s not to say that new contracts by their current clubs could not be issued between now and the summer expiry date, but for those on our list (according to various reports), it looks extremely likely all will find themselves at new clubs come the start of next season.
In many of these cases, the rumour mill is already in full swing with odds on favourite destinations earmarked for each player. Given the high profiles of the names though, they will all have multiple options of where to go and you’d think the interest would be greater given there will be no transfer fees involved to potentially sign some of the world’s best players.
Read on to find out who is out of contract, where they could end up and the odds on favourites to sign each…
Kylian Mbappe
The young Frenchmen is often in the conversion when discussing the best players in the world, and for good reason. After starring for France in their victorious 2018 World Cup campaign, Mbappe’s stock has continued to rise. He’s scored 156 goals in all competitions for PSG, winning three Ligue 1 titles and multiple domestic cups along the way. According to Transfermarkt, he’s valued at £144 million so whoever signs him on a free transfer is getting an unbelievable deal paying no fee for an already world-class player with his best years still ahead of him.
Most reports indicate that Real Madrid is his destination of choice and Los Blancos are apparently very keen on striking a deal. The Spanish giants have had a huge fall from grace since Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago. They have attempted to replace him with the likes of Eden Hazard, but things have not gone to plan. Mbappe could be the player who can help them return to the heights they hit a few years ago, winning the Champions League three times in a row.
Madrid have had a long-standing interest in Mbappe, making several bids in excess of his value last summer which PSG might now regret turning down as he looks certain to leave for Spain on a Bosman. However, nothing has been confirmed yet, so they will surely continue to try and get him signed up to a new deal. Liverpool have also been another club mentioned as a destination for the Frenchman and it would be some coup if Klopp can persuade him to come to Merseyside. But, you’d think they would struggle to match Madrid’s offer financially.
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Paul Pogba
Now we come to the curious and complex case of Paul Pogba. Resigned by Manchester United back in 2016 from Juventus where he established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, his second spell at Old Trafford has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Of course, he has been hit with his fair share of injury problems during the last six years and the high manager turnover never helps any player.
But he has never been a mainstay in the side for long, seemingly becoming a bit-part player at United and stepping in when the manager needs him. For the fee paid and the talent he possesses, you would have expected him to be a real catalyst for The Reds during the post-Ferguson era, but Pogba has divided opinion since arriving back in the UK.
His current market value is just under £50 million, which is just over half of the fee United paid to bring him back in the summer of 2016. Some of that decrease is of course due to his age, but you really do feel he should be one of the world’s best in his prime years right now. In any case, he will have no shortage of suitors should Manchester United not extend his deal with PSG linked extensively with the Frenchman.
Paulo Dybala
The Argentine striker has become something of a talisman for Juve in recent seasons, netting 79 times in 201 Serie A appearances. With a market value of £45 million and aged 28, Dybala is in the prime of his career. You’d think he would walk into any of Europe’s top five leagues and become a star player.
Whether the Turin club can agree to a contract renewal remains to be seen, but given their precarious financial situation and failure to win trophies over the last couple of seasons, it’s logical to think Dybala will move on in the summer, but to where? He certainly won’t be short of offers, with most reports indicating that North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting it out for his signature.
It would be regarded as a huge coup for either club if they manage to strike a deal. The Gunners’ have perhaps defied expectations as they look the most likely to clinch a Champions League place heading into the final months of the season. But Spurs have Antonio Conte in charge who knows the forward extremely well, being a veteran of Serie A. If either of these two clubs lands him, you can bet it will be celebrated like a derby win.
Franck Kessie
The Ivorian has become one of the most talked-about players across Europe with his stellar performances for AC Milan in recent seasons as the club look to get back to the heights they were at in the 2000s. He is seen as a bit of an all-rounder, scoring his fair share of goals while also being solid defensively when required.
However, talks over a new contract have been at a stalemate for some time with reports indicating it’s all to do with finances. At 25, he is valued at just over £43 million, which is sure to rise if he continues performing as he is. It would be a real loss for AC and fans will be left baffled if he is not given what he wants to stay at the club.
All indications are that Spanish giants Barcelona are set to sign Kessie, with club legend Xavi at the helm and looking to rebuild his squad after a torrid couple of years for the Catalonians. He has certainly started the job well, with results and performances improving in the last few months, but faces a huge summer window to add more quality. Kessie appears to be a firm target.
Antonio Rudiger
It would be a huge blow for Chelsea to lose one of their best defenders in recent years on a free transfer in the summer. Rudiger has been excellent for the Blues’ helping them to win the Champions League, Europa League and an FA Cup. He has become one of the first names on the team sheet for his club, as well as an established German international.
Given all this, plus his age (28) and market value of £31.5 million, there will be a plethora of top clubs across Europe vying for his signature. That presents major problems for Chelsea, as they are short of central defenders they can rely on for the next few years. Both Thiago Silva and César Azpilicueta are in the twilight of their career and are sure to retire in the next few years.
Reports suggest it will be a tough job for the London club to keep hold of their star, with PSG reportedly offering him a £6 million a year contract. That’s on top of interest from Real Madrid, who themselves are desperate for a top centre back this summer. Tuchel’s side will have to pay up if they want to re-sign the German, but time is running out.
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Ousmane Dembélé
Now we come to the curious case of Ousmane Dembélé. Brought in by Barca back in 2017 after just one season at Borussia Dortmund, for an astronomical fee (reported to be more than £100 million) to replace the departing Neymar, it has not gone as planned. The winger has struggled to even get in the side in the last couple of years, and Xavi seems happy to let him go.
Now aged 24, you would think his next move will be the most crucial of his career as he looks to finally fulfil the potential the Spanish club once saw in him. However, he will find it tough to get a move to another top European club, with his reputation taking damage from his time at Barca, therefore a move to a lesser club could be the best way to rebuild his career.
Although Barcelona have reportedly offered him a new deal (presumably to avoid losing him for nothing) he looks set to leave. Lots of clubs have been credited with interest though, with Chelsea and Manchester United surprisingly being mentioned. Newly rich Newcastle were strongly linked back in January and maybe the North East could be ideal for a player looking to get his career back on track.
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