Best 20 footballers out of contract and available for free this summer

There was a surprising lack of movement in January for these 20 players ticking down to freedom this summer.

Ranked in order of value according to Transfermarkt, here are the 20 biggest stars currently due to become free agents in 2025…

20) Josh Brownhill (Burnley)
There is an obvious reluctance on both sides to commit to a new deal until Burnley have assured their place in the Premier League.

19) Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Surely only a matter of time before Forest tie him down. “I hope so, I really enjoy it here. I enjoy the staff, the players, the club, the community. Everything about it is a good place, so, yeah, hopefully,” he said.

18) Neymar (Santos)
He’s back in Brazil after his contract in Saudi Arabia was terminated. His idea is to get fit and then return to Europe; Santos’ idea is to milk this for all it’s worth and persuade him to stay until the World Cup in 2026.

17) Christian Norgaard (Brentford)
“The longer time goes by without anything being in place with the club, the more likely scenario number two is that I will have to find somewhere else and continue from the summer.”

16) Kenny Tete (Fulham)
After a one-year extension was triggered last summer, there are no more ‘twists’ available to Fulham and no talks while the Dutchman is injured.

15) Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
Only four Gunners have played more minutes this season but Arsenal are still reluctant to open talks with the Ghanaian, clearly believing they can upgrade in that area of the pitch.

14) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Surely retirement will beckon at 38. Unless he thinks he has another World Cup in him…

13) Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)
He has more than served his dues and a whole host of mid-table Premier League sides should be interested after he exits the club following a second inevitable relegation.

12) Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Understandably reluctant to commit himself to the unstable Toffees and will likely have his pick of mid-table Premier League clubs on a free transfer.

11) Angel Gomes (Lille)
The Lee Carsley England call-up has been linked with a free transfer move back to England and specifically Tottenham.

10) Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
Palace are reportedly keen to open contract talks with Oliver Glasner’s first-choice left-back. He will expect an increase on his reported £40,00-a-week wages.

9) Olivier Boscagli (PSV)
Brighton were linked with a move for defender Boscagli this summer, while Inter have busied themselves laying down foundations for their approach once his PSV contract expires in the summer.

8) Frank Anguissa (Napoli)
Having been a regular for Napoli in the two seasons since he joined, Anguissa might expect his terms to be extended. But it also might depend on the mood of Antonio Conte on any given day.

7) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The Liverpool skipper’s last deal was signed in 2021 and the fact he’s already the club’s second-highest earner, and seemingly content at Anfield, means there is little urgency to get around the negotiating table just yet. They are at least talking now.

6) Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Did appear to be bound for Bayern Munich until Bayer Leverkusen insisted they wanted over £35m for the German international. Barcelona are among those linked. Because of course they are.

5) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
There’s something a little odd happening with De Bruyne at Manchester City; the smart money is on an MLS move.

4) Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
The latest talk from Munich is that Bayern will not make Sane a new contract offer until March/April because his performances have lacked consistency. But he did start the last four Bundesliga games of 2024 and scored a couple of goals so his case for a renewal is getting stronger. Or the case for Barcelona to make him one of their free transfer signings.

3) Jonathan David (Lille)
Would have been an excellent signing for Manchester United but somehow remains at Lille despite being one of the top scorers of 2024. Could he sign for Manchester City as an Erling Haaland back-up?

2) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
A ridiculously good player and favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year award for the third time, Salah has been outspoken about being “more out than in” of Liverpool.

1) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
All three of Liverpool’s highest earners are out of contract this summer. Trent is undoubtedly and understandably being lured by Real Madrid. Reports suggest that his exit is ‘practically closed’.