Top 5 players who could sign for a new club for free in January

The Bosman ruling suggests that players can agree to a pre-contract with another club for a free transfer if the players’ contract with their existing club has six months or less remaining.

This gives clubs a great chance to sign up players who have not had their contracts expire yet, but are still on the lookout for better options, while the players themselves are able to gauge which teams they could move to if they chose not to sign a contract extension with their existing club.

Therefore, here is a list of the top 5 players whose contracts end in June next year, and would be allowed to discuss a free transfer with other clubs from the start of the January transfer window:

Note that we have considered only players under the age of 30, as many clubs have a policy of signing 30-plus players to one year contracts, and therefore could renew these contracts before the end of the season.

1. Robert Lewandowski

One of the best strikers in the European game currently, 25-year old Lewandowski has turned down a new contract offer from Borussia Dortmund, and looks set to move on a free this summer.

Many rumours suggest that Bayern Munich could already have a deal in place for the Polish international, but the striker himself revealed that no such agreement is done, and a move to the Premier League could be of interest to him:

“I will be able to sign a contract [with any club] in January but I have never said that I will sign a contract with Bayern.

It was a misunderstanding. It is true I had an opportunity to speak with Sir Alex Ferguson [last year] but we didn’t mention the transfer. One day I would like to play in Premier League. It would be a great experience.”

The signing of one of the most lethal strikers in world football on a free would be a massive coup, to say the least.

2. Blaise Matuidi

The acclaim might have gone to the likes of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Blaise Matuidi was one of PSG’s best players in their Ligue 1-winning campaign last term, showing tenacity in defence and great ability in offence as well.

The French international played 52 games for the Parisian outfit, even scoring 8 crucial goals for the side including one against Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The all-action midfielder is just 26 years of age, and already has the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea looking at signing him under the Bosman ruling in January.

3. Igor Akinfeev

There are not too many goalkeepers in the world who can match the abilities of Russian shot-stopper Igor Akinfeev, who for some reason has not been signed on to a new contract by CSKA Moscow, with less than a year left for its termination.

A player who grew out of the CSKA youth system, Akinfeev has seen his stock grow over the years, and has now over 350 appearances for the Russian outfit, helping them to four Russian Premier League titles, six Russian Cups, five Russian Super Cups, and a UEFA Cup triumph in 2004-05.

He was even awarded the Russian Premier League Player of the Year last season, showing that he is in great form, and would be great value for a prospective buyer.

4. Diego

Surely one of the most underrated players in the world currently, Wolfsburg’s Diego will be able to discuss a move with potential suitors in January, and at 28 years of age could prove to be a punt worth taking.

Known for his skill, passing ability and a big bag of tricks, Diego, who has previously played for Porto, Santos, Werder Bremen, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, has been a key figure in the Wolfsburg team, and given their disappointing season last time around, might want a move away from the German club.

The attacking midfielder has already scored three times for Wolfsburg this season, and could be ready to move to a club that has a stronger presence in Europe’s premier club competition, the Champions League.

5. Jeremy Menez

Another PSG player who could be on the verge of an exit, Jeremy Menez has shown on more occasions than one that he has an abundance of talent, but unfortunately for him, has not been able to display it consistently enough.

Signed by the French club in 2011, Menez has been in and out of the first team in recent years, and despite making 42 appearances in the previous two seasons, is said to be looking for more playing time.

With PSG owning endless pools of money and likely to buy further big names over the coming transfer windows, the time could be right for the former Monaco and Roma winger to take his talents to a club where he will be valued and played more.