For 'Black Friday,' Lionel Messi is available at zero cost; incredible but true.
Barcelona suggest that the player has signed a renewal with them, but the reality is that Messi's contract ends in June 2018.
That is to say: from January 1 he's free to negotiate with any club.
However, all that glitters is not gold.
Whoever wants Messi must offer, surely, the biggest contract ever known in football.
A figure close to the 30 million euros charged by Neymar with Paris Saint-Germain.
It's not every day there is an opportunity to sign one of the best players in history.
If the Argentinian has not formally signed the deal, the fight to procure him will be brutal.
Players out of contract in 2018
There are 38 days left until New Year's Eve and we'll see if, on that night, something more than the entrance of a new year is celebrated
Not just Messi available
It's not only Messi that's available, as so many stars about to be free to negotiate.
Whoever proposes to make a 'super team' without paying even a single euro could do it.
In goal we find two legends like Gigi Buffon and Ikea Casillas sharing contract termination with Kepa, a goalkeeper of the future.
Someone for all tastes and (almost) all pockets.
The defensive quartet could compete in any team.
Veterans Chiellini and Miranda would be in defence with the Dutchman Daley Blind on the left and Juanfran Torres on the right.
The future
In midfield, the jewel is the German, Leon Goretzka, whom Barcelona are taking a keen interest in.
The player seems to have decided not to renew for Schalke 04.
Ander Herrera, with a market value of 30 million euros, would accompany him, and Emre Can would complete a quality midfield.
The best of this hypothetical team comes in the attack.
Three world superstars that would be starters in any team in the world.
The talented German, Mesut Ozil, is the first component of this trio that would scare any opponent.
His teammate at Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez, would be in charge of competing to score the goals with the jewel in the crown: Messi.
Great players who finish their contracts in 2018
Kepa (Athletic)
Buffon (Juventus)
Casillas (Porto)
Reina (Napoli)
De Vrij (Lazio)
Chiellini (Juventus)
Miranda (Inter)
Vida (Dinamo Kiev)
Daley Blind (United)
Ghoulam (Napoli)
Shaw (United)
Juanfran (Atletico)
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace)
Glen Johnson (Stoke City)
Emre Can (Liverpool)
Fernandinho (City)
Sung-Yong Ki (Swansea)
Motta (PSG)
Ander Herrera (United)
Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04)
Wilshere (Arsenal)
Moutinho (Monaco)
Cabaye (Crystal Palace)
Ribery (Bayern)
Ashley Young (United)
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Juan Mata (United)
Ross Barkley (Everton)
Mario Balotelli (Niza)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (United)
Fernando Torres (Atletico)
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Bernard (Shakhtar)
Lautaro Acosta (Lanus)
Leo Messi (Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (Bayern)
Aaron Lennon (Everton)
Barcelona-Arsenal
87
In October 2018, Wenger would be like: "I almost signed them"
Leontheguru
75
Wilshire, Leon, Ander Herrera important players in their team not just on the basis of playing time but what they signify Goertzeka and Wilshire Academy products who symbolize their clubs Herrera man u's best player last season and how many players will Arsenal loose for free
kritikkumar
68
messi to man city to make it messi city
LSS
47
I think somehow barca can manage to renew messi's contract, but for a young and talented player like Goretzka he will certainly leave especially when big clubs are keeping an eye on him. for emre can he could stay but for competition in the midfield with the likes if coutinho, chamberlain and also lallana coming back from injury and keita coming in next year it cant guarantee him being a regular starter for the club so i see him leaving. for kepa he might decide to test a bigger club in search of trophies sanchez is a sure target for city and ozil too must leave those two players cant remain at arsenal.
Akekala
21
The real losers would be Arsenal in this Best 11 out of contracts. Surely how would you even think of letting Alexis Sanches and Ozil go in this time and era