Ranking Star Players Who Could Leave on a Free Transfer in Summer 2025

It's that time of the season when contracts come into focus.

Players whose deals run out in the summer are able to negotiate a free transfer away as early as January, meaning clubs are forced into a decision: protect themselves via a winter sale or offer an extension to maintain some kind of value.

Either way, it's awkward to navigate.

A number of star players across Europe are approaching this situation and will be able to leave their teams on a free in July if new terms aren't agreed. Here, we look at the best available; a telling task when you see a handful of clubs' best players appearing on the list.

We're judging the quality of the player, but also how much they have left in the tank and what their potential new team could expect from them.

Editor's note: Denzel Dumfries was originally included before being removed after signing an extension on Nov. 27.

14. Neymar

It's sad to say, but it's practically over for Neymar. At 32, his recent run of serious injuries and decision to join Al Hilal is a combo that means going for him on a free would effectively amount to a marketing stunt rather than a serious acquisition for a player who has much left to offer.

13. Angel Gomes

You just wonder if Manchester United could be tempted to take Gomes back. At 24 he's developed into a technical defensive midfielder who plays complex systems well. Energetic and smart on the ball, the Englishman would be a quality pick-up for a lot of teams.

12. Ferland Mendy

Mendy arguably never hit the heights personally, but he's still part of a Real Madrid squad that has done it all. He will be 30 just after his current deal expires and is unlikely to be needed as Los Blancos continue their rebuild based on youth.

11. Jonathan Tah

He's been around forever and is only 28. It feels like Tah may never leave Bayer Leverkusen, but if any team can convince him to depart, they will be adding a leader to their backline who has proven important in a historic team.

10. Amad Diallo

Perhaps wrongfully overshadowed by Alejandro Garnacho at Manchester United, Diallo is a really interesting player. He's improving rapidly and has shown match-winning ability while also putting in much harder work than his more well-established teammates. The 22-year-old is surprisingly adept and getting better.

It's an odd time for Kevin De Bruyne.

He seems quite disconnected from Manchester City this season. Whether it's due to injury keeping him out consistently or his lack of impact this campaign, there's indication the 33-year-old probably doesn't have too long left at this level.

Still immensely sharp on the ball and able to create something out of nothing, De Bruyne's era-defining qualities would suit a team that does a lot of running around him.

His recent sub appearance in the 4-0 loss to Tottenham kind of felt like a man who is forcing it rather than completely trusting those around him.

Unable to break into Vincent Kompany's first-team lineup, Leroy Sané remains in a career stall.

The flying winger scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in a troubled Bundesliga campaign for Bayern Munich last season and very much has "main man energy," in that if he plays regularly, he will produce.

Sané is entering an important part of his career at 28. His next contract is likely to be his last massive one, so it shouldn't be wasted away on the bench. You'd expect the suitors to come running if he suddenly becomes available on a free.

The only thing working against Son Heung Min is his age.

Still a wonderful finisher, dribbler and captain for Spurs, the South Korean legend also brings extreme marketability for Asian viewers who worship his every performance.

At 33 years old his style of play is likely to be impacted soon, with his speed dropping and a susceptibility to injuries creeping in, which we've begun to see in recent times.

Perhaps adapting his game over the next year or so could maintain Son's output. He is so cutting on the ball that a central role might open up for him as those legs begin to creak.

Forever linked with Real Madrid, Alphonso Davies could very likely be one of the best free signings made this summer.

The Canadian hasn't always held the favour of Bayern Munich's coaches and fans, but he's performing well and has raw qualities that would cost well beyond £50 million if he had time left on his deal.

Davies would be a major upgrade on Mendy at the Bernabéu. His aggressiveness and energy would provide better cover for that vulnerable left flank and inject an attacking spark that Mendy just doesn't have.

There could be a major scramble for the 24-year-old's signature if he's still available when 2025 arrives.

Liverpool are flying right now.

While the attacking delights of Mo Salah are grabbing the headlines, Virgil van Dijk has quietly put together his best spell of form in quite a while. That's impressive for a 33-year-old who initially struggled upon his return from serious injury.

Van Dijk's leadership is vitally important for Arne Slot's prospects, so it's unlikely his contract will be allowed to drag on too much longer. He's still a physically imposing, hard-to-beat centreback whose ability to organise the Reds' defence ensures Slot's plan of control plays out in full motion.

He'd be higher up this list if it weren't for that old enemy, Father Time himself.

Likely not a name many people expected to rank so highly.

Jonathan David could represent the steal of the summer at a time when premium strikers are hard to find. The 24-year-old Canadian has been simmering for some years now and finally looks set to earn himself a big move, an occurrence which Lille should be racing to protect by getting him to sign a new deal.

David already has 16 goals across club and country this season and is chasing both Bradley Barcola and Mason Greenwood in the race for Ligue 1's top scorer. He has a decade of football ahead of him and is the type of player who backs his ability against any side.

That confidence should grab the attention of a couple of Premier League clubs who desperately need someone to put the ball in the back of the net.

Joshua Kimmich somewhat feels like Mr Bayern at this point in his career, a man who is destined to see out his playing days at the club before heading upstairs into the churn of ex-pros who make up the executive seats.

The German midfielder is approaching decision-making time, though. There are few clubs in the world that would turn down his services if he becomes available. He's an excellent passer, a hard worker and someone who can slot into multiple roles across midfield and at full-back.

At 29, there's one big move left if he wants it and is bold enough to turn down Bayern's likely advances of extending his soon-to-be decade-long stay.

The Real Madrid rumours persist.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the world's best attacking full-back, a player whose delivery has consistently won big matches. He is also unique in that his defending is rather poor for a player of this effectiveness, making him a route to attack for opposition that look to exploit any whiff of a Liverpool weakness.

Letting a homegrown player of Trent's quality run down his contract is not a wise move. It seems likely he will eventually agree a deal to remain with his boyhood club, and on paper, there's no better place to be than Liverpool right now.

But Madrid usually get what they want. If Florentino Perez seriously fancies adding Alexander-Arnold to take over from the injured Dani Carvajal, a story that currently seems too fanciful might suddenly grow some substance. Liverpool aren't quite playing with fire when it comes to Trent, but they are taking a risk.

Mo Salah's comments that he's "more out than in" should have every Liverpool fan on alert.

While his disappointment at allegedly not being offered a new contract indicates he wants to stay, there's more than a hint of "agent speak" propping up his interview after he scored the winner against Southampton last weekend.

It suggests his support team know there's a big offer on the table from elsewhere. Likely the Saudi league, for which he would immediately become the poster boy. To have a Muslim at the forefront of the Saudi project would be huge for its stature, especially if the player in question is in the kind of form we're seeing from Salah right now.

The Egyptian is the Premier League's best player this season, scoring 10 and assisting six as Slot's men ease to the top of the division. His match-winning qualities are unparalleled even when it doesn't seem like he's in the game.

Granted, Salah is not a young man. But there's no replacing him. He has proven adaptable and constantly willing to learn, especially after Slot's arrival. In this moment of Man City slipping, Liverpool need him to be focused and settled more than they ever have.