The best footballers out of contract on free transfers this summer
A Liverpool centre-half tops this list of players available for free in 2026, while a Liverpool centre-half target also features highly.
While talk swirls of the players available on a free transfer in 2025, we’ve ranked – in order of value according to Transfermarkt – the 20 biggest stars currently due to become free agents next year.
20) Vitaly Janelt (Brentford)
A pretty much permanent Brentford substitute, there is unlikely to be anything approaching a scramble for the German.
19) Yves Bissouma (Tottenham)
Has not played a minute of football under Thomas Frank and is now injured, ruining any chances of a revival before his inevitable summer exit.
18) James Garner (Everton)
There has been talk of a return to Manchester United, but the smart money is on Garner signing on again at Everton.
17) Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)
Manchester United and Newcastle United are said to be interested but the Cherries are desperate to sign him up to a new contract.
16) Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Contract talks are said to have stalled with the US international.
15) Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
The 30-year-old has been told that if he stays at Bayern, it will be on reduced wages.
14) John Stones (Manchester City)
Currently playing for City and has seen off Manuel Akanji at least.
13) Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
The 30-year-old has been told that if he stays at Bayern, it will be on reduced wages.
12) Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
That expiring contract was the reason Man Utd did not want to agree to another loan. But in the end they had no choice as Aston Villa came calling.
11) Eric Garcia (Barcelona)
There was strong talk about a new five-year deal but since then, a vacuum might make room for PSG to make a move.
10) Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton)
“I don’t like to plan ahead. I live one day at a time, but I plan everything for the near future. I have a contract with Everton now, I’m happy at this club. In principle, I would like to stay here. Plans…I don’t want to plan anything. I’m at Everton now, I’m in a good mood and the weather is great. Everything is great.”
9) Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
After moving to Saudi Arabia to set up his family for life, Neves seems in no hurry to sign on again. Many European clubs would be interested if he became available for free.
8) Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)
No contract talks for now with one of Dortmund’s highest earners, but the word from Germany is that they have no incentive to sell.
7) Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Chelsea baulked at his valuation in June so he will play out his last season as first-choice keeper in Milan.
6) Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
The Other Timber is sitting out the last year of his contract before inevitably following his brother to the Premier League.
5) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
It feels like he has been trying to leave for almost as long as he has been a Manchester City player. But he’s now captain and approaching his final year with the Blues.
4) Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
He was very much available this summer but even with so many striker moves, Vlahovic has got stuck at Juventus. But he’s not a bad striker to have in the building; he has scored a handful of goals for the Old Lady this season.
3) Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
He was apparently told in the medical scanner that his move to Liverpool is off, which means that he will remain at Palace for one more season. The south London club made the decision that one more year of Guehi was worth more than £35m. Now pretty much everybody is interested including Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG.
2) Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
A new deal was said to be imminent in October, but this Liverpool regime have proved to be frankly awful at closing these deals. His form at the start of 25/26 might make them slightly glad they neglected to double his salary. Real Madrid were said to be predictably interested, but will they sign the Frenchman or…
1) Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
He’s rated highly by Vincent Kompany (who knows a few things about being a centre-back). “I am very happy here. There will now be talks between Max, Christoph [Freund, the Bayern sporting director] and my agent. Let’s see what happens,” said the man himself in August. Since then, there has been growing talk of Real Madrid but the feeling is that the big Frenchman will stay.
