Let the meddling begin!
Not only does January 1st mark the start of the winter transfer window (and your keto diet), it’s also the starting point for potential summer free transfers.
From this point forward, players who have entered the last six months of their contracts can formally discuss and negotiate future moves with foreign clubs.
And boy, are there going to be people sniffing around. The current pool of potential free agent talent is absurd.
Here are the ten biggest names clubs could be talking to ahead of a potential transfer in 2025.
Liverpool have already done it he rejected an approach from Real Madrid sign their revolutionary academy graduate in January, and we’re bound to be subject to incessant Trent Alexander-Arnold talk until his future is finally settled.
The Reds have a triumvirate of superstars with their contracts expiring, with Alexander-Arnold looking the most likely to leave, despite his Scouse roots.
Liverpool are hoping to keep hold of their full-back, but the lure of Madrid and the potential to link up with top-flight Jude Bellingham may be too difficult for Alexander-Arnold to ignore.
While Alexander-Arnold has generally kept quiet about his future, Mohamed Salah has been considerably more open.
The Egyptian king, 32, remains open to extending his stay at Anfield, however he said by the end of 2024 which is currently still “far” from reaching an agreement.
Salah is the club’s biggest earner, but the winger is proving once again this season that he is worth every penny.
The hype surrounding Alphonso Davies has died down since its peak in 2020, but there’s no denying that the electric Canadian international remains one of Europe’s leading left-backs.
While he may not be as physically dominant as he once was, Davies possesses a skill set that very few in his position possess.
Bayern have already unsuccessfully tried to tie down the Canadian long-term. But Davies has been tempted by interest from Real Madrid.
A number of Premier League clubs are also believed to be monitoring the situation, with Madrid remaining the left-back’s priority if he does not move to Bavaria.
the final Liverpool The Musketeer is the central defender of the Reds. The Dutchman has laughed off those who suggested he was on the decline after returning from an ACL tear, with Virgil van Dijk re-establishing himself as the best defender in the world over the past 18 months.
Liverpool’s second highest earner has opted for the Salah way of piling on the pressure and it looks as if the Premier League leaders are prioritizing Van Dijk’s extension.
Of the three at Anfield, this looks the most likely to be done.
Joshua Kimmich once looked destined to play out his prime at Bayern Munich, but the midfielder’s indifference in recent seasons seems to have convinced the German that a new challenge may be in order.
However, Kimmich has produced some outstanding performances this term, and Bayern would be wise to return to the negotiating table. The 29-year-old has a bigger contract.
If he decides to move on, Kimmich will have his fair share of admirers.
Leroy Sane showcased his breakthrough talent during the 2023/24 finale after emerging as a model of consistency during the opening act of the campaign.
The German can blow hot and cold, however, with injury setbacks refusing to help his cause in 2024. Bayern have an array of star options, and Sane has featured sporadically under Vincent Kompany.
However, it seems as if Bayern are keen to tie up the 29-year-old before summer
Kevin De Bruyne he flirted with the possibility of leaving Manchester City for Saudi Arabia last summer, and 2024/25 may have been too much of a season for the aging Belgian at the highest level.
De Bruyne has struggled for form and consistent form this term, and City have suffered as a result.
With the Cityzens requiring a major overhaul in 2025, it looks more likely than ever that the 33-year-old, who turns 34 in June, will leave the Etihad Stadium after a stunning decade-long Premier League run.
It was once considered inevitable that Son Heung-min would extend his stay in north London, but the way the South Korean closed out 2024 has certainly given Tottenham food for thought.
The 32-year-old has shown various signs of physical decline over the past two seasons and has suffered amid a tough campaign for Spurs this term.
But chairman Daniel Levy will surely not let Son walk for nothing this summer, with the Lilywhites having the option to trigger a one-year extension on his current contract.
Jonathan David has been as consistent as they come on the scoring front since joining Lille in 2020, but the Canadian has made a considerable leap over the past two years.
The striker scored 24 goals in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season and 19 the following campaign. It is also set to produce similar numbers this quarter.
David has long been admired by Europe’s elite and the out-of-contract move finally looks set to make the move in 2025.
Neymar is one of three generation-defining players with contracts expiring in 2025. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could also be on the move again, but the biggest question mark surrounds the Brazilian.
After a forgettable – but incredibly well paid – Having spent time with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, the 32-year-old player is sure to be at the highest level, especially considering the injuries he has had to endure in recent years.
A possible reunion with Messi in Miami is not impossible.
