New Delhi: Signing the right player for your club can do wonders for a club’s fortunes. Just take a look at Cole Palmer’s exploits in the 2023/24 season and his impact on Chelsea’s eventual league position. The Englishman was signed for a relatively low price of £40 million. Signing a great player for a low fee is always a steal deal but signing one for free is the best piece of business a club can do for themselves.
Take a look at Juventus, Bayern Munich and more recently Real Madrid, all of whom have signed some of the best players in their history for no cost at all. Juventus made a habit out of signing big players for free, bringing in the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba for literally nothing. Bayern Munich pulled out arguably the best ever free signing in club football when they signed Polish striker Robert Lewandowski after his deal at Borussia Dortmund had expired.
Talking about the current season, we’re almost done with one third of the new season and slowly and steadily things are starting to take shape. There are several high profile players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the current season, with quite a few of them being coy about their futures. Let’s dive in to take a look at a hypothetical starting XI of the best players (on current form) that could be available on a free transfer in 2025.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Only a handful of goalkeepers have their contracts expiring at the end of the season and Manuel Neuer, is undoubtedly the best of them. His current deal lasts till June 2025 and has expressed his desire to continue playing beyond this season. While he hasn’t signed a new deal with the Bavarians yet, that remains to be a possibility but is currently on course to become a free agent next season.
Right Back: Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold could leave Anfield in 2025. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Liverpool have a bit of a tricky situation on their hands as multiple of their stars have their contracts expiring post this season. Their academy talent, Trent Alexander Arnold is amongst those stars who could leave the club for free at the end of the season with European giants Real Madrid looking increasingly interested in the Englishman.
Center Back: Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
One of Leverkusen’s unsung heroes of their incredible title winning campaign of 2023/24, Jonathan Tah is in his final year at the club. He is expected to leave the club at the end of the season after 10 long years with the club. The defender was high on Bayern Munich’s list in the summer and seems open to joining the Bavarians. An experienced center back, he will be a valuable asset at any top club.
Center Back: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
If Liverpool manage to convince Tah to join them next summer and keep hold of Van Dijk, this hypothetical pairing could become a reality, but as of right now, Van Dijk’s contract expires after this season. One of the best defenders in the world, Liverpool should do whatever necessary to keep him at the club. The Dutchman wants to stay so it should be a no brainer for the Reds.
Left Back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Another player who seems resigned to leave his club at the end of the season is Bayern’s Alphonso Davies. One of the best left-backs in the world, Real Madrid are heavily interested in signing the Canadian. If Los Blancos manage to get their hands on both Davies and Trent on a free, it would arguably be the biggest coup in football.
Central Defensive Midfielder: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich has been linked with a move away but Kompany should do everything to keep him (Photo: (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Another Bayern player whose contract is up once the season is over is Joshua Kimmich and it remains to be seen whether or not he signs an extension. The newly appointed German captain is a exceptional player and leader and will be a huge signing wherever he goes. He was heavily linked with Barcelona in the summer and can link up with former coach Hansi Flick if he decides to leave.
Central Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s talisman Kevin De Bruyne’s future is also up in the air currently. The Belgian midfielder’s contract is expiring post this season and he has remained coy over his future. He has been attracting a lot of interest from Saudi Arabia and if Manchester City’s charges go against them, he could end up leaving the Premier League champions.
Central Midfielder: Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey is in the final year of his contract and he could be on his way out after this season. His time with the Gunners has been sort of a mixed bag with injuries hampering his stay in London. With the additions of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, Partey seems surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium. He could still do the job for a Premier League side with European ambition or could venture to the Saudi for one last heavy paycheck.
Right Winger: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is one of the greatest players in Liverpool history. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The final Liverpool player on the team, Mohammed Salah has openly stated that no one has reached out to him regarding a new deal at Liverpool. Arguably the greatest Liverpool player in Premier League history, Salah is an absolute asset for any team he joins. If Liverpool don’t offer him a new deal, he could find himself alongside former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, in the Saudi Pro League.
Striker: Jonathan David (LOSC Lille)
The second Canadian on the list, LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David has confirmed that he won’t be signing a new contract at the club. The 24-year-old striker has long been linked with a move away from Lille and that will finally be a reality in 2025. A host of Premier League clubs are interested in the striker alongside Italian giants, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Left Winger: Heung Min Son (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Spurs’ captain Heung Min Son is the last remaining cult heroes at the club following exits of widely loved players like Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen. The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and although, the club has an option to extend the contract for another year, they haven’t yet exercised the option. If he does leave at the end of the season, there will be no shortage of suitors for the South Korean icon.
