From Lionel Messi to Alexis Sanchez: the ‘out of contract next summer’ XI

If you think this summer’s transfer window was interesting, next year's one could be mind-blowing...

(Getty)

As everyone in the football world knows, a contract is never binding. Players can and do leave clubs even after signing ostensibly long-term deals: Danny Drinkwater’s recent move from Leicester to Chelsea is a case in point. A player with a single year left on their contract, therefore, is at especially high risk of departure.

With contractual rumours swirling around a host of top players at the moment, here is an XI of players who could leave on a free transfer next summer. As should be pretty clear, it’s one heck of side, too. If you think this summer’s transfer window was interesting, next summer’s could be mind-blowing.

GK: Gianluigi Buffon

The 39-year-old goalkeeper’s longevity is mightily impressive; his loyalty to Juventus is, if anything, even more so. Buffon was one of very few big names to stay at the club when they were demoted to Serie B in 2006. But with his last chance to win the Champions League now surely gone, he could become tempted by pastures new.


 Buffon could be tempted by a move away from Juventus 
 (Getty Images)

RB: Juanfran

The Atletico Madrid full-back, who came through Real’s youth academy, is yet to extend his current deal. Now aged 32, the Euro 2012 winner has lost some of his trademark speed, strength and energy. Nevertheless, Juanfran would still be of great benefit to many a top-tier club in the major European leagues.

CB: Jose Gimenez

The Uruguayan centre-half has attracted interest from various English sides in recent seasons, including both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal. In June this year, he said that although he “dream[s] about playing in the Premier League”, he would nevertheless sign a “contract for life” at Atletico were it offered to him.

CB: Giorgio Chiellini

The hugely experienced Juventus defender, who also has a degree in economics, has been at Juventus for thirteen years. He has never played outside Italy, but the top European clubs – and probably several MLS sides too – will be keeping tabs on his contract situation. You don’t need to be an economist to know that Chiellini on a free is good business.


 Chiellini has been at Juventus for 13 years 
 (Getty)

LB: Daley Blind

The Dutchman has started at left-back in all three of Manchester United’s Premier League matches so far this season. He also registered two assists in the Netherlands’ 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria on Sunday night. But with the recovering Luke Shaw triggering a contract extension on Wednesday, Blind’s position could be threatened this term.

CM: Mesut Özil

After Arsenal’s recent 4-0 loss to Liverpool – not to mention months of criticism from various ex-Arsenal players – the German playmaker called on ex-Gunners to be more supportive of the current side. But Özil’s refusal to sign a new contract speaks volumes about his commitment to the club. It is not hard to picture his departure in the near future.


 Ozil has refused to sign a new contract at Arsenal 
 (Getty Images)

CM: Isco

Real Madrid’s latest homegrown midfielder came into his own in 2016/17, after a bit-part role the previous year. The 25-year-old is yet to pen a new deal at the Bernabeu, however, despite his excellent form. If he becomes available on a free next summer, a veritable swarm of clubs will be buzzing around him.

LM: Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta is one of those players you cannot even begin to imagine playing for another club. Along with Xavi Hernandez and the late Johan Cruyff, Iniesta personifies the ethos and style of FC Barcelona more than anyone in history. But in May, he made the unthinkable thinkable, saying “it’s possible that I won’t retire at Barcelona. I’m still thinking about whether I should renew my contract or not.”

RM: Arjen Robben

Of all the players in this XI, Arjen Robben is probably the best-travelled. The Bayern Munich winger has played for a who’s who of Europe’s elite in his career, with Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSV among his former sides. That said, he will have been at Bayern for nine years come next summer. It would be strange to see him playing for any other club, let alone a lesser team in the US or China.


 Robben has played for a host of European giants 
 (Bongarts/Getty Images)

ST: Lionel Messi

Insofar as the endless Messi-Ronaldo comparisons have any meaning, Ronaldo has the edge in one respect. Namely, the Portuguese has played and succeeded in another major European league. This fact will always hang over Messi unless he leaves Catalonia, and with Barca a shadow of their former selves, the 30-year-old may well seek reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

ST: Alexis Sanchez

Anyone who has followed football in the past few weeks – and plenty of people who haven’t – will know that Alexis Sanchez is not a happy man. His inability to leave a stagnant Arsenal for Pep Guardiola’s uber-ambitious Manchester City this summer is an ongoing source of anguish. A move next summer would surprise precisely no-one.