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In the January transfer window teams can get immediate help by making a big splash, spending millions to add new recruits.
But teams can also start negotiating with players who are reaching the end of their current contracts.
Players whose contracts expire this summer are free to talk to any team and agree a move at the end of heir current deal.
There are numerous stars potentially available right now for teams to negotiate with.
Nemanja Vidic is a high-profile name, although his recent performances, or lack thereof, don't reflect the reputation, or the clamour for his signature that was seen by fans when news of his mutual termination came out.
Joel Matip is another player that looks like he may be heading to the Premier League, the Cameroonian centre-back a favourite of Jurgen Klopp for a while.
Here, we've separated the wheat from the chaff to look at the players who could be on the move, even if some of them will undoubtedly remain at their current clubs.
Scroll through our gallery here:
Show all 18 1 /18The best players who could be free agents this summer The best players who could be free agents this summer Nemanja Vidic - 34 - free agent The former Manchester United captain terminated his Internazionale contract by mutual consent earlier this week, after failing to play a single minute of football this season. The reputation and trophy cabinet is full but the playing ability is not what it once was. Still, plenty of teams, and fans, would be willing to take a punt on the Serbian.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 34 - PSG/Sweden The charismatic forward has plied his trade in Sweden, Holland, Italy, Spain and France- could England be his next destination? His contract runs out in the summer and his agent has said he could make a move to the Premier League this summer. The likes of Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked with the Swedish international who guided his country to this summer’s Euro’s in France with eight goals in the qualifying campaign. But, will the out-spoken Swede be tempted to join one of the Premier League big boys and add the Premier League trophy to his illustrious trophy cabinet?
The best players who could be free agents this summer Victor Valdes - 33 - Manchester United/Spain It’s a question of when, not if, the former Barcelona goalkeeper leaves Old Trafford after his well-publicised fall-out with Louis van Gaal last summer. The Spanish international looks likely to return to La Liga at some point with Celta Vigo thought to be favourites to sign him. Though Turkish giants, Besiktas and Fenerbache could also rekindle their interest after moves in the previous transfer window fell through.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer John Terry - 35 - Chelsea Can you imagine? It seems inconceivable that Chelsea’s ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ could depart Stamford Bridge having been with the club since the age of 14, but there are doubts about his ability to continue at the top level and uncertainty over Chelsea’s next permanent manager. Chelsea have yet to offer the former England captain an extension to his present contract, fuelling speculation that he could move to Turkey, or maybe Qatari side Al Arabi, managed by former team-mate Gianfranco Zola.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Steve Mandanda - age: 30 - team(s): Marseille/France Mandanda took to Facebook last week to announce that he not be leaving Marseille during the January transfer window after being linked with both Aston Villa and Liverpool. The Marseille Captain did not however rule out a move at the end of the season. Remi Garde confirmed Villa’s interest in Mandanda, who would easily displace Villa’s American international Brad Guzan, but with Villa looking likely to be relegated it would seem unlikely for Mandanda to want to play in the Sky Bet Championship next season.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Robert Green - 35 - QPR Reports this week suggest that Green has a clause in his contract, where if he were to make at least 30 appearances for this season he’d be entitled to a new deal. He’s currently on 25 appearances and QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is reportedly trying to offload the former England international who is a high earner. Bournemouth are reported to have shown an interest, while Green has also been linked with Watford.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Branislav Ivanovic - 31 - Chelsea/Serbia Ivanovic has been a fantastic servant to Chelsea since signing from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008, and has scored crucial goals in his time at Stamford Bridge including the winner in the 2013 Europa League final. The Serbian, who can play at both right back and in the middle, is one of many Chelsea players who’ve struggled to hit the heights of last season. Reported to have signed a new contract in recent days but nothing has been confirmed by the club. AC Milan are among a number of clubs interested.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Joel Matip - 24 - Schalke/Cameroon Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp are heavily linked with a deal to bring Matip to Anfield. Matip first played for Schalke in 2009 and the German club are desperate for him to sign a new deal, though it is believed that he wishes to depart the Veltins-Arena. The Cameroon international has Champions League experience and at 24 he could be the one of the hottest free agents in the summer. He stands at 6ft 3in, is quick, and can also play in midfield.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Cristian Zapata - 29 - AC Milan/Colombia Colombian international Zapata is reportedly interesting both Everton and Manchester United after struggling to hold down a regular spot in Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic’s starting XI. Zapata has been with the Rossoneri since 2012, and has 39 caps for his country. He’s has a physical presence and can play at either full-back or centre-back.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Martin Caceres - 28 - Juventus/Uruguay Liverpool are among the teams in the race to sign the Uruguayan international when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Reds will face stiff competition from Inter Milan and Fenerbache for Caceres, who started his career at Barcelona. But with Caceres now able to sign a pre-contract with non-Italian clubs a move to Merseyside looks most likely. He has been out of the Juventus squad since a drink-driving incident in the Autumn.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Patrice Evra - 34 - Juventus/France Reports in the Italy suggest that Evra is attracting the attention of a number of Premier League clubs after it emerged that he’s unlikely to be offered a new deal with the current Serie A champions. The ageing Frenchman won 10 major honours with Manchester United between 2006-2014, and played a part in Juventus’ domestic double and run to the Champions League final last season.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Sam Byram - 22 - Leeds United The defender has been impressive for Leeds so far this season and has weighed with three goals and an assist. The 22-year-old turned down a new contract at Elland Road last September, and Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has said that he’d rather sell now than lose him in the summer for nothing. Premier League sides Bournemouth and Norwich have been linked with Byram who can play at either full back or on the wing.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Gregory van der Wiel - 27 - PSG/Netherlands A product of the famed Ajax youth academy, Van der Wiel has previously linked with a move to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, but he moved to Paris. With only limited playing time at the Parc des Princes, the Dutchman has publicly complained about his lack of opportunities. This alerted Internazionale, who made an enquiry, but Premier League clubs will also be looking.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Sofiane Feghouli - 26 - Valencia/Algeria The attacking right-winger is one of the hot shots of European football, and with no surprise has many admirers across Europe. Manchester United are willing to meet his wage demands, with Chelsea and Inter Milan are also keen on the Algerian’s signature. Spanish reports suggest that Feghouli ‘has turned into a real headache’, and his agent is demanding ridiculous wages for his client, but with interest from the Premier League he may be tempted into making a move in the summer.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Hatem Ben Arfa - 28 - Nice/France After a damaging 2015, which nearly saw him quit football, Ben Arfa has been linked with a preposterous summer move to Real Madrid, where new coach Zinedine Zidane is said to be a keen admirer. The former Newcastle man has rejuvenated his career back in his home land of France with Nice, netting eight goals and earning an international recall. Ben Arfa has said he would love to work under Zidane, and with his contract ending in the summer, Zidane may be tempted to bring his French compatriot to Spain. Premier League clubs will also be watching.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Ever Banega - 27 - Sevilla/Argentina The central midfielder was in contract negotiations with Sevilla in November, but nothing has yet materialised, further linking him with a move to the Premier League. Banega is currently enjoying the best run of form in his career, scoring six goals this term and with admirers from both Italy and England, the Argentine may be tempted with a move away from Spain. Everton manager Roberto Martinez is one keen admirer, but he would have to beat competition from Juventus, Inter and Manchester United.
The best players who could be free agents this summer Charlie Austin - 26 - Queen's Park Rangers Ever since QPR’s relegation from the Premier League, Austin has been heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League with the likes of Newcastle, Sunderland, Leicester and Southampton all interested. Austin himself has stated that he will wait till the summer to make a move to the Premier League, which will make him one of England’s hottest free agents. The former non-league player, who has 18 Premier League goals to his name, could not tempt anyone to buy him in the summer. With concerns over his long term fitness and allegations he has no ligaments in his right knee, Premier League teams may just be tempted to lure him as a free transfer in the summer.
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The best players who could be free agents this summer Ezequiel Lavezzi - 30 - PSG/Argentina With limited playing time, Lavezzi has been forced to re-think his playing career, particularly with his contract at PSG running out in the summer. The 30-year-old has fallen down the pecking order to the likes of Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani and will be looking to leave the Ligue 1 champions one way or another. Chelsea have been rumoured to have signed a pre-contract agreement with the attacking winger, with Barcelona and Liverpool also keen to sign the Argentine.
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