Nobody wants to see valuable players edging towards a year away from free agency, especially not Ballon d’Or contenders.
No one is panicking yet about the looming prospect of these lads walking away, especially with these players a year closer to free agency.
But if negotiations haven’t already started, then clubs certainly need to be contact with the agents of these 20 stars that we’ve ranked in order of value according to Transfer market…
20) Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid)
It looked like a done deal at various points this season, but Diaz remains on this list despite starting both Real’s Champions League knock-out clashes with Manchester City.
19) Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)
Very likely to be sold this summer so Brighton can extract a fee for a much-improved player who understandably would like Champions League football elsewhere.
18) Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Jones’ renewal is said to be on Liverpool’s to-do list since the midfielder remains one of the first-team squad’s lowest-paid players still on the deal signed in 2020 as a 21-year-old.
17) Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Desperately tried to leave Palace in January but failed a medical at Milan; there will be suitors this summer for a price befitting a 29-year-old.
16) Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
There’s an option for another year, which Manchester United will be wise to trigger until he proves he can stay fit.
15) Senny Mayulu (PSG)
PSG acknowledge the need to tie down one of the Champions League final goalscorers and an extension for the 19-year-old is expected to be agreed soon, with talks at an advanced stage.
14) Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
PSG were talking about opening negotiations with Ruiz last summer and we still await a long-overdue announcement.
13) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The United skipper was ‘sad’ that the club seemed quite willing to get rid last summer amid interest from Saudi. Maybe he ought to have given them what they wanted just so we can all see exactly how dire they would be without him. The Saudi interest will almost certainly remain as the 32-year-old’s contract ticks down.
12) Ederson (Atalanta)
It feels unlikely that Ederson will enter the final year of his contract at Atalanta. If a renewal is not forthcoming – talks are said to have been placed on hold by the player – then the club will almost certainly put him on the market this summer.
11) Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
An extension for the winger does not feel like a priority for Arsenal. Indeed, there is talk of upgrading the Brazilian, who is no longer a fixture in Mikel Arteta’s XI.
10) Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
A big old climber up this list after he was reintegrated back into a winning Manchester United team by Michael Carrick. A new deal will include a significant pay rise.
9) Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
The picture has changed for Torres, whose lack of goals in 2026 mean that Barcelona are said to be willing to sell for a hefty price this summer.
8) Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)
Back to his best form, the left wing-back will be offered a lucrative new deal at Inter while Manchester United links have gone quiet with Ruben Amorim’s exit.
MORE: The best footballers out of contract in 2026
7) Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
The defender and Dortmund are talking, with neither side in a hurry. “There’s no deadline,” Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken has said. “We’re in good dialogue, but of course he wants to make this decision carefully.” Liverpool have been repeatedly linked but Real Madrid are the current favourites.
6) Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)
There are reports that Adeyemi has told his club that he won’t be re-signing after initial discussion over a renewal, with talk his girlfriend fancies living in a major European city rather than Dortmund. Buyer beware.
5) Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
There is little hurry given there is a one-year option beyond 2027, but Captain America is apparently keen to commit to 2030.
4) Rodri (Manchester City)
There is said to be a new contract on the table for the Ballon d’Or winner, but he has been pretty open about eyeing a move to Real Madrid.
3) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Tottenham and Manchester United continue to be linked with the England goal machine, who has a clause in his current deal that, if certain conditions are met, would allow him to leave next summer for £65million. But much of the current noise points to a renewal at Bayern, even if the striker will be 34 around the time his next deal kicks in.
MORE: A step-by-step guide to show Harry Kane has actually scored precisely zero proper goals for England
2) Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Hitting a patch of poor form and finding himself on the fringes of the Manchester City team just at the wrong time. He will likely be given a new contract, but the argument for improved terms is weakening by the week.
1) Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have made the decision to give in to Vinicius Junior’s contract demands, apparently. That’s what happens when you step up in 2026 and show Real that you are not just a poor man’s Kylian Mbappe (with a billion Euro release clause).
