Salah, Trent, Neymar, Son? 12 stars who could move for free in summer 2025

Once January hits in any given season, players who have just six months left on their contracts are free to speak to other clubs with regard to securing a pre-contract move.

Sometimes, players run their deals down, while others try to plan their futures in advance, knowing what club they will be turning out for when August comes around.

Every year, there are thousands of players coming to the end of their current deals – some high-profile, others further down the footballing pyramid.

Ahead of this summer, there are several high-profile stars who could be at different clubs in the next six months, including a trio of Liverpool players as we look at the best players heading into the last six months of their contracts…

1

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future has been a massive talking point this season. The Englishman could end his association with the Anfield side this summer, and with Real Madrid showing plenty of admiration, could he depart the club?

The La Liga side have identified the defender as a priority target, and Carlo Ancelotti could even make a bid to bring the Liverpool star to Madrid as early as this month, especially considering they could get him for a knockdown price.

Alexander-Arnold has made over 330 senior appearances for his boyhood club, winning the Premier League and Champions League in the process. Will he be tempted by a move to Spain, or can Arne Slot convince him to stay? Only time will tell.

2

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah is another Liverpool player who could leave the club for nothing in a few short months. The Anfield talisman has been in outstanding form during the current campaign, powering Slot’s side to the top of the Premier League table.

At the start of the year, he indicated that he wishes to go out on a high by winning a second league title, seemingly offering a glimpse into his future, which looks increasingly like it will be away from Merseyside.

3

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Out of the Liverpool trio, Virgil van Dijk appears to be the player who is most likely to sign a new contract.

The defender will turn 34 by the time the 2025/26 season starts. Might a one-year extension give Slot some experience at the heart of the defence ahead of his second year?

If not, the club would be saving a staggering £220k per week, which could allow him to bring in a few new players instead.

4

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne has so often been at the heart of the success Manchester City have achieved since he joined in the summer of 2015. Considering their form this term and the fact an era may be coming to an end, will the Belgian leave this summer?

With over 400 appearances for the Etihad side, De Bruyne has been their talisman, never more so than during the 2022/23 season as they won the treble. Indeed, he registered 41 goal contributions for the club that year.

He will turn 34 before the start of next season, but any club in the world would love to sign him.

5

Neymar

Al-Hilal

It is hard to believe that in 2017, Neymar cost PSG an astronomical fee of £200m to sign Neymar from Barcelona, with his move to the French capital expected to turn him into the best player in the world.

Seven and a half years later, and the Brazilian will be a free agent this summer as his contract at current club Al-Hilal runs down, having failed to live up to the promise shown during those early years in Spain.

A succession of injuries has reduced the player to fleeting moments of genius since then, but on his day, there is no doubting his talent.

6

Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich joined Bayern Munich in 2015 after shining for RB Leipzig in the German second tier. Since then, he has gone from one of the most talented players at the club to captain, winning eight Bundesliga titles along with the Champions League during his spell.

The Germany international has entered the final six months of his contract and surely won’t be short of offers. The likes of PSG and Barcelona have been monitoring his situation in Bavaria.

Back in November, it was reported that he was close to signing a new deal with the Bundesliga side, but nothing has materialised following this news. With the January window now open, he is free to speak to other clubs.

7

Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur talisman Son Heung-min leaving at the end of the season would represent a mighty blow for Ange Postecoglou and his ambitions with the club.

The 32-year-old has been with Spurs since 2015, making over 400 appearances and scoring 125 goals for the club at the time of writing.

Son has been one of the bright sparks for the north Londoners this term amid their inconsistency in the Premier League. If he signed an extension to his current deal, it would surely give his manager and those around him a massive lift.

8

Leroy Sane

Bayern Munich

It may have come as a surprise to many when Leroy Sané swapped Manchester City for Bayern Munich, especially with the Pep Guardiola era in full swing, but the German has been a crucial player for the Bavarians.

Indeed, at the time of writing, he has registered 104 goal contributions – 53 goals and 51 assists – in 194 appearances, a rate of one goal involvement every 1.8 matches, marking a spectacular record.

The winger is still only 28, meaning if a club can secure his signature this month for a knockdown fee (or for nothing in the summer), they would be signing a player still at the peak of his powers.

9

Jonathan David

Lille

Many feel that Lille have made a massive mistake by allowing the contract of star striker Jonathan David to run down ahead of the summer, especially considering his current market valuation stands at €45m (£37m), meaning they will likely lose out on a significant transfer fee.

There appears to be no shortage of offers for the Canadian forward. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claims that two Serie A sides have made offers, while there are four Premier League teams reportedly keen on striking a pre-contract agreement with David ahead of next season.

He won’t make a hasty decision as the player will focus on giving his all for Lille over the next few months, but whoever manages to sign him will be securing one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.

10

Alphonso Davies

Bayern Munich

While the majority of players on this list are those approaching the final stages of their careers, the same cannot be said for Alphonso Davies.

Aged just 24, the defender has racked up over 200 appearances for Bayern Munich, winning everything on offer during that time.

Towards the end of 2024, it was reported that Davies could sign an extension with the German heavyweights, but with teams such as Manchester United and Real Madrid sniffing around, Bayern will hope he makes his mind up sooner rather than later.

11

Ferland Mendy

Real Madrid

Perhaps not as high-profile as others on this list, but Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy would still be a major coup for a team looking to improve their back four.

Winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns, Mendy doesn’t have anything else to prove in Spain, with Arsenal and Liverpool previously showing interest in the Frenchman.

He will turn 30 ahead of the start of 2025/26, yet could still offer plenty to a club seeking a consistent and solid left-back.

12

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton

It looks as though Dominic Calvert-Lewin is heading towards the final six months of his Everton career, with several high-profile clubs expected to make an offer to secure his signature.

AS Monaco are just one of those interested in the English striker, with this month representing the final chance for the Toffees to cash in on a player who was one of the club’s prized assets just a few years ago.

Milan, Newcastle United and Arsenal are also monitoring his situation. Much will depend on whether the centre-forward wishes to remain in the Premier League or move abroad to try something new.

If Everton receive a decent bid in January, they would be foolish to turn it down.