There’s just under two weeks left of the current transfer market but some Premier League clubs could potentially be starting plans for next year with a host of stars available on free transfers
With the transfer window entering the final stretches, Premier League clubs have not been afraid to splash the cash. Champions Liverpool could potentially move take their summer spend beyond the £400m mark with a British-record swoop for Alexander Isak.
Their top-flight rivals have also spent heavily too, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United having all spent huge amounts. Given their vast outlays already, some teams may now be tempted to look for a few bargains before the window 'slams' shut.
A number of free agents such as Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jamie Vardy and Kurt Zouma all remain without clubs. But the opportunity to land top talents without dipping into their summer budget, could be even more tantalising in 2026 with a host of top talents primed to be out of contract.
In fact, an XI of nearly £350m worth of talent are available for nothing in just 12 months’ time according to Sportingpedia. And clubs only have to wait a few months to engage in talks with those players.
With that being said, take a look a look at some of the best players who could be on the move completely for free this time next year:
Starting in goal, we have a player who could actually be on the move over the final couple of weeks of the window. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - who is valued at £34.5m - has just one year remaining on his Paris Saint-Germain deal. But he has been told he can leave the club this summer amid interest from Manchester City.
Moving into defence, there are a few Premier League stars who could be on the move. Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko has just one year remaining on his contract, which would see the Toffees lose out on an estimated £24m.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi also has less than a year remaining on his deal. He is another who could move this summer amid interest from Liverpool. And they could get a bargain given his £38.8m valuation.
Ironically, Guehi could potentially replace another star in this XI. Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate - who is worth around £51m - is out of contract in a year’s time and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Dayot Upamecano - rated at £43m - could also join his compatriot in being on the move sooner rather than later. He has just a season remaining on his contract with current employers Bayern Munich. Real Madrid starlet Raúl Asencio claims the right side, with his value sitting at £34.5m.
The midfield is also stacked with plenty of talent. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong - who has constantly been linked with Manchester United - is valued at £38.8m but could be available for nothing very soon.
Who do you think your club should sign before the deadline? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Meanwhile, Premier League duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Bernardo Silva could potentially be leaving Tottenham and Man City respectively on frees next summer. The pair hold a joint value of around £58.7m.
Moving to the frontline, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has less than a year on his contract in Turin. Given he was signed for £66m and is now valued at just £30.2m, that would represent a huge loss for the Italian giants.
Brentford forward Yoane Wissa is the final inclusion in the out-of-contract XI but he could also move on well before then. He is valued at £27.6m, albeit the Bees are demanding considerably more than that this summer amid interest from Newcastle as they attempt to find a replacement for Alexander Isak.
Out of contract XI: Donnarumma; Asencio, Guehi, Konate, Upamecano, Mykolenko; De Jong, Silva, Bentancur; Wissa, Vlahovic.