Top 5 football players who are out of contract in 2021

#3 David Alaba

The 28-year-old Austrian is one of the most versatile and sought after players in world football. There should be no dearth of offers from elite European clubs if he chose not to commit his future at Bayern, given the fact that he is still in his prime years as a professional.

Relations between Bayern and Alaba are not great at this moment after former Bayern president Uli-Hoeness accused Alaba's agent Pini Zahavi of being a "money-grabbing piranha" amid negotiations over a new deal for his client. Alaba would be a great asset for Barcelona or Real Madrid, and reports have emerged linking him to those clubs.

#2 Sergio Aguero

The Argentinian ace has spent almost a decade at Manchester City becoming the club's highest-ever goal-scorer in the process. The 32-year-old has, however, had issues with injuries in recent seasons and the club might likely allow him to leave come next summer.

Now nearing the end of his illustrious stint at the Premier League, the prospect of him returning to his former club Independiente could be on the cards. Aguero himself proposed the idea in 2015 that he would like to move to Argentina after his City contract expires.

#1 Lionel Messi

The Messi transfer saga was the story of the summer, and it may not be long until the saga gathers some pace again. It was clear that he wanted to leave Barcelona, the club he's been at for almost two decades, and only his contractual situation didn't allow him to fulfil his desire. But come January, he'll be free to talk to clubs without any complications.

There will be no dearth of potential suitors, even though he is nearing the end of his prime years. Manchester City are still the favorites to lure Messi, but cash-rich clubs like Inter Milan and PSG are not far from this conversation. A return to Argentina, though, looks unlikely.