A number of big-name players are entering the final five months of their contracts and will become available as free agents in the summer transfer window unless renewed.
John Stones is nearing the end of his contract (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Although the January transfer window is over, clubs can still do business between now and the end of the season. Every year, the star-studded list of players scheduled to become free agents on July 1st captures the attention of soccer fans around the world.
And 2026 will be no exception, with players from Manchester United and Liverpool among those eligible to take advantage of the Bosman Rule. A famous soccer ruling allows players to leave clubs on free transfers as soon as their contracts expire.
Who can forget how the Bosman Rule has helped seal major deals in recent years, such as Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid, Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich and Sol Campbell to Arsenal? Additionally, the Premier League allows players to sign pre-contracts with foreign clubs and secure their futures before their current contracts expire.
So, who will be hitting the market this year? Mirror Football will select 11 star players who are currently available for free.
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read more: Real Madrid could target Liverpool’s new star player after ‘positive feedback’ on transferread more: Former team-mate confirms Cristiano Ronaldo’s willingness to return to Manchester United
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is the standout goalkeeper with five months left on his contract after Mike Maignan extended his contract with AC Milan last week. The legendary German remains Bayern’s number one, but his future is uncertain.
Neuer will turn 40 in March, but by then we will know more about whether he will remain at the Allianz Arena for another 16 seasons. Imagine how much fun he would have in the Premier League.
Manuel Neuer’s future at Bayern Munich is uncertain (Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Dani Carvajal
It would be strange to see Los Blancos without Dani Carvajal in their squad if the modern Real Madrid legend leaves this summer. Despite signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde has actually secured the right-back spot.
There have been conflicting reports as to whether the 34-year-old Carvajal will be offered a renewal or if he is willing to sign. The Spaniard’s departure will be another sign of changing times at the Bernabéu.
john stones
Defender John Stones’ contract with Manchester City also expires on June 30th. Stones, 31, who is currently injured, will reportedly need to prove his fitness to earn an extension.
He has appeared in just 13 games this season and his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad is also in doubt. There was also the possibility of signing Dayot Upamecano, but he is said to have agreed a new contract with Bayern.
Ibrahima Konate
Double offer from Liverpool and first up is Ibrahima Konate. It was previously linked that he could join Real Madrid on a free transfer, but those rumors have died down in recent months.
France international Konate has not been at his best this season, but he is still a top-level centre-back. However, missing out on Marc Göch has raised the possibility that the former RB Leipzig star will renew his contract.
Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are both out of contract (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
andy robertson
Andy Robertson, a man who could have left Liverpool in January, was the subject of interest from Tottenham. Spurs still hope to sign him for free in the summer, but the Reds remained adamant and did not allow any move to take place.
Left-back Robertson’s absence from competitive action at Anfield was a concern ahead of his bid to captain Scotland at the World Cup, so it’s no wonder he was weighing his options. Don’t be shocked if talk of a move to Tottenham resurfaces soon.
Bernardo Silva
Currently in midfield, Bernardo Silva has remained at Manchester City every summer since the pandemic, even though he was on the verge of leaving. But will it finally come to an end?
The 31-year-old Portuguese has reportedly indicated that this year will be his final season at the Etihad. Manager Josep Guardiola once said Bernardo would be welcome at City until the day he quit as manager, and that could happen this summer.
Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Casemiro
Now heading to the other side of Manchester, Casemiro has already confirmed he will leave United in June. The 33-year-old Brazilian, who is still available in the Premier League, is benefiting physically from playing one game a week at Old Trafford.
His goal and assist against Fulham was a reminder of his abilities. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasr have long been linked with signing Casemiro, making them one of the frontrunners to sign him.
Casemiro announces that he will not sign a contract extension (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
leon goretzka
Another confirmed departure is Leon Goretzka, whose time at Bayern ends in five months. The Bundesliga champions decided not to sign the midfielder in connection with his move to Atletico Madrid in January, before announcing that they would not be offering him a new contract.
Goretzka, 30, has only appeared in bit parts since director Vincent Kompany took over in the summer of 2024, but he continues to contribute and has been praised for his professionalism. He would be a convenient signing for most Premier League teams.
harry wilson
Harry Wilson is one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, and clubs are expected to be interested in signing him in the summer. Like Fulham manager Marco Silva, he also plans to bid farewell to Craven Cottage.
Wilson, 28, was the subject of an investigation by Everton on transfer deadline day, but the Wales international had scored six goals and provided four assists in his last 12 league games and was subsequently withdrawn. Serge Gnabry was a candidate for the XI, but reports say he has agreed to extend his stay at Bayern.
Which free agent should your club sign? Let us know your choice in the comments section.
Harry Wilson is out of contract with Fulham (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski, who is used to free transfers, appears to be coming to a natural end to his four-year spell at Barcelona. The Poland captain is 37 years old and is no longer guaranteed to be a starter, with Hansi Flick having more attacking talent at his disposal.
But if you look at his recent results against Real Madrid and his 42 goals last season, you’d think otherwise. Lewandowski will have no shortage of options, having been linked with moves to AC Milan, Chicago Fire and clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
One possibility is for the veteran striker and his family to remain happy in Catalonia and remain at Barça on a reduced salary. Lewandowski is expected to make a decision after Barcelona’s presidential election in March.
Barcelona set to meet Robert Lewandowski in the spring (Image: Fadel SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic
Once one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers, Dusan Vlahovic’s Juventus career has not reached the heights many expected when he joined the Bianconeri from Fiorentina in January 2022 for a whopping £66.6 million.
The Serbian striker has never scored more than 20 goals in a season at Juventus, which went through a period of crisis under Vlahovic. The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Torino and has often been linked with a move to the Premier League.
However, there is talk that Barcelona are considering him as a potential successor to Lewandowski. They will be a huge burden.
Non-contract replacement eleven: Nick Pope. Antonio Rudiger, Harry Maguire, Marcos Senesi, Vitaly Mykolenko. Julian Brandt, Fabinho, Weston McKennie. Sadio Mane, Mauro Icardi, Danny Welbeck
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