5 Premier League goalkeepers who will be free agents in 2018

The January transfer window opens on New Year's day and clubs around Europe will look to strengthen their squads over the course of the month.

The January transfer window is going to be exciting as there are several high profile players who are currently in the final year of their contracts as some tricky business decisions need to be made by the clubs.

While a few of the players will be lured into longer stays with their current employers, a few players will have to sort out their playing future quickly, before losing ground on the current market rates for players.

Here we take a look at a five PL goalkeepers who will be free agents in 2018.

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#5 Joel Robles

Former Atletico Madrid and Wigan Atheltic goalkeeper, Joel Robles joined Everton in 2013 on a £3.60m transfer from Atletico Madrid. Since joining the Blue of Merseyside, the Spaniard has made 42 appearances for the club including Everton's last FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United in 2016.

Robles kept goal for Wigan during their maiden FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in 2013. A good strong goalkeeper, Robles is 27-years-old and is on the verge of leaving the club for more game-time.

With the arrival of Jordan Pickford at Everton, Robles cannot be guaranteed game-time under new manager Sam Allardyce and might not want to play second fiddle to the 20-year-old goalkeeper.

During Roberto Martinez's reign as Everton manager, Robles was the club's number 1, taking over from Tim Howard. The Spaniard's contract is expiring at the end of the season and might be allowed to leave the club for free unless he is sold in January.

#4 Wayne Hennessey

Hennessey in action for Crystal Palace in the Premier League

Welsh and Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey had a tremendous year last season guiding Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-final as well as keeping Palace in the top flight.

An instrumental figure in goal for both club and country, Hennessey joined Palace from Wolves in 2014 for a reported fee of £3.29m. The 30-year-old shot stopper has just six months left on his current contract with Palace and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

The experienced goalkeeper will attract interest from a lot of clubs who will be very interested in acquiring the services of the Welsh shot-stopper. It will be interesting to see how the new manager Roy Hodgson handles this situation with the 30-year-old goalkeeper.

With Julian Speroni's contract also expiring at the end of the season, Palace could lose two veteran PL goalkeepers for free.

#3 Tim Krul

Krul in goal for Newcastle United

Dutch and former Newcastle United goalkeeper, Tim Krul began his careers with the Magpies in 2006 and made over 160 appearances for the club till 2017. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a one year deal that expires at the end of the season.

Since 2015, Krul has not been able to keep his spot in the Newcastle team and secured a loan move to Ajax and then AZ Alkmaar before signing for PL club Brighton earlier this season on a permanent basis.

Krul has also made 11 appearances for the Dutch national side and was part of the 2014 WC squad. An experienced goalkeeper, Krul could have a number of suitors lining up for him if Brighton let him go on a free transfer at the end of the season.

#2 Michel Vorm

Vorm in goal for Tottenham Hotspur

Former Swansea City number 1 and current Spurs number 2, Michel Vorm began his career in Holland with Utrecht in 2005 and spent six seasons at the making 136 appearances in goal.

He moved to Swansea in 2011 and thus began his career in England ever since. The 34-year-old goalkeeper played three seasons at the Welsh club before opting to join Spurs in 2014. With Hugo Lloris ahead of him in the pecking order and his contract running out in the summer of 2018, the Dutchman Vorm could find himself looking for new employers as a free agent.

He has been part of two previous Dutch WC squads and the Euro 2012 squad as a reserve keeper. Spurs could lose Vorm on a free transfer at the end of the season unless they renew his contract or sell him in January.

#1 Boaz Myhill

Myhill (L) floored after a collision with Vardy

Welsh international goalkeeper and PL veteran Boaz Myhill began his professional career with Aston Villa in 2000 and spent three seasons at the club, although a bunch of loan spells meant he never played Villa.

Hull City signed the American born Welsh player in 2003 and he went on to make over 250 appearances for the club over a seven-year period. WBA signed the player in 2010 and he has been at the club ever since, although he did spend a year on loan at Birmingham during the 11-12 season.

Myhill is out of contract at the end of the season with the Baggies and could leave the club on a free. With Ben Foster the number one keeper at the club, Myhill has made only 67 appearances for the club during his time.

A move away from the club could benefit the player with more game time given that Foster has been in good form.