Players whose contract expires in June. Who can clubs get for free in six months?

The January transfer window doesn’t just mean the ability to buy players immediately, but it is popular among clubs that save money and try to get players for free. It is in January that you can start negotiating and signing contracts with players whose current contract expires in June.

Milan Škriniar – Inter Milan – market value €60 million

The player with the highest value among the players whose contract expires in the summer is the Slovakian. Milan Škriniar has not yet extended his contract at Inter Milan and there is no indication that this will happen in the spring.

There is talk that the 27-year-old stopper would like to try the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea interested. Škriniar would come for free in the summer, so it would not be a big investment and risk for both clubs.

Lionel Messi – PSG – market value €50 million

Next on the list is Lionel Messi. The fresh world champion signed a two-year contract on his arrival at PSG, which expires now in the summer. Messi’s original plan was to leave for the MLS after this contract, but with his current form he should still stay in Europe and is already in talks with PSG for another contract.

There is still talk of a return to Barcelona, but they cannot afford Messi for financial reasons. The Argentine is expected to sign a shorter contract of 1-2 years.

Youri Tielemans – Leicester – market value €40 million

Deliverance for Tielemans. The Belgian midfielder wanted to leave Leicester at any cost before the season, but the Foxes didn’t want to let him go. Arsenal, who need to strengthen the centre of midfield, were very interested and now the Gunners will be able to get Tielemans for free.

However, Newcastle are also interested in the 25-year-old midfielder and there is even talk of Juventus Torino. But Tielemans will surely want to stay in the Premier League and it is not impossible that a deal with Arsenal will fall in January so that Leicester can at least get something for their star.

Karim Benzema – Real Madrid – market value €35 million

Get the current Ballon d’Or holder for free? Nice idea, but very unrealistic. Karim Benzema certainly won’t want to leave Real Madrid, where he is an icon, so only the terms of his contract are being addressed.

Jorginho – Chelsea – market value €35 million

Last year Chelsea let Antonio Rüdiger walk away for free, this year he could be another pillar of the 2021 Champions League win. Jorginho’s contract expires in the summer and it doesn’t look like an extension yet.

Like many other big names, the 31-year-old midfielder has been linked with Newcastle, but a return to Italy cannot be ruled out.

Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace – market value €32 million

At 30 years old, will Zaha finally get a big transfer? Arsenal have long been interested in the Crystal Palace workhorse, there was also talk of a return to Manchester United or a move to Chelsea, but Zaha still remained in south London.

The question is whether he is leaving himself wiggle room to negotiate a new contract, or whether he really wants to leave for a bigger club.

Marcus Thuram – Borussia Mönchengladbach – market value €32 million

A very interesting signing for a lot of teams. The son of the legendary Lilian, Marcus has been putting in great performances for Mönchengladbach, racking up a 13+4 record in 17 competitive games. He also performed well at the World Cup in Qatar, where he played in the final.

His great strength is his versatility, he can play on both wings. He is also at the ideal age (25) and with a market value of €32 million, getting him for free is almost a steal.

It is not for nothing that Manchester United, PSG, Newcastle and Bayern Munich are interested in Thurram. Some reports say that Bayern could acquire the Frenchman as early as January for €10 million.

Other players:

Evan Ndicka – Frankfurt – market value €32 million
Leandro Trossard – Brighton – market value €30 million
Thomas Lemar – Atlético Madrid – market value €30 million
N’golo Kanté – Chelsea – market value €30 million
Youssoufa Moukoko – Dortmund – market value €30 million
Roberto Firmino – Liverpool – market value €28 million
Ilkay Gündogan – Manchester City – market value €25 million
Marco Asensio – Real Madrid – market value 25 million euros

Source: Transfermarkt