Top 5 free agents of the January transfer window

Dani Alves and Giorgio Chiellini are also potential free agents this JanuaryExpectancy, foreboding, anxiety, anguish and finally, ecstasy. If you have been exhibiting signs of any of the aforementioned emotions, the reason behind it is pretty obvious. It's that time of the year again, it's the frantic, costly, yet productive and crucial month of January when the transfer window opens. It's a period when some clubs do everything in their power to keep hold of their prized assets, whereas, on the other hand, teams looking for the necessary firepower and strengthening leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the perfect match; the missing element who could complete their jigsaw.As the transfer window dawns upon us, I have prepared a list of the top five players who could be available for potential free tranfers. The winter window will present the first opportunity for clubs to sign these players at a bargain price if the concerned player has more than six months left on his contract. However, if any potential offers are resisted, the club with which the player is associated, could risk losing him on a Bosman is the summer. Pre-contract agreements can also be made for players who have less than six months left in their contract, the most noteworthy example being Robert Lewandowski's switch from Borrussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich.Notable omissions:Dani Alves.Giorgio Chiellini.Andre-Pierre Gignac.Nigel de Jong.James Milner.Adrien Rabiot.Younes Kaboul.Ignazio Abate.

#1 Michael Carrick

It's hard to figure out the exact reason as to why Louis Van Gaal hasn't offered his anchorman in midfield a contract extension yet. Signed from Tottenham in 2006 for a sum of £18 million, Carrick has been the backbone of United's ineffective midfield in the past and is a vital ingredient presently too. An absolute rock in the centre of the park, the 33-year old's return from injury has coincided with United's glorious run of 6 wins on the bounce.

And, there is much more than irony to it. The influence which Carrick has had on proceedings since his return has been phenomenal and an extension may well be on the cards, sooner or later as reported by various sources.

The English midfielder, however, is calm over the contract situation. He said,

"I had a lot of older guys around me, like Pat (Evra), Rio (Ferdinand), Vida (Nemanja Vidic), Scholesy and Ryan, but all of a sudden, they have all gone and I am now the oldest, and by some distance!

"It was always a case plenty being ahead of me, but Giggsy retired and three of them left, so it is me now."

But, as it stands, he will be available for free in January.

#2 Sami Khedira

Once considered as a treasured jewel in the Madrid starting eleven, Khedira has faded into oblivion after the acquisitions of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. The upward trajectory traced by Spanish wonderboy Isco has also been instrumental in keeping Khedira out of the starting eleven.

Even though the 27-year old German has made a paltry 11 appearences this season, his cause has been boosted by the injury sustained by Luka Modric, who has been ruled out for three months with a calf injury.

Although a switch to Arsenal has been much spoken about, Khedira has clearly denied any such rumours and has claimed that leaving the Bernabeu was never on the agenda. He said, 'It is a known fact that my contract expires. [The club and I] are always in good contact.

'I feel very comfortable in Madrid. I am not averse to staying. There are no talks with other clubs. I am curious myself to see where I will end up.'

However, Madrid have reiterated their stance in keeping hold of Khedira by saying that 'they want him to sign an extension’.

"The club wants him [Khedira] to sign a contract extension,'' Ancelotti told Spanish radio station RNE. "We consider him a reliable player, who is serious and professional."

#3 Steven Gerrard

Remember the bizzare feeling you experienced while watching Frank Lampard in Manchester City colors for the first time? Watching Stevie G in any shirt other than that of Liverpool seems unthinkable too. Yet, you cannot deny the fact that the Anfield legends contract is up at the end of the ongoing season and that a departure may well be on the cards.

Even though Brendan Rodgers has time and again reasserted the fact that Gerrard is still an integral part of Liverpool's plans, he hasn't offered an extension which could back his claims. However, the Liverpool boss has expresses his desire to keep Gerrard at Merseyside for a longer period.

The former Swansea City manager said, 'Steven is a wonderful player. The situation is very simple. I have already spoken with Steven's representative over a week ago so a real productive good conversation and we took that to the ownership and they are obviously now in the process of getting a deal hopefully agreed and done. In terms of Steven, he's a player of course we want to keep. He has been a big part of my plans since I have been here’.

Given the kind of bond Gerrard shares with the Kop, it is hard to see him joining amy other Premier League club. A move abroad is a strong possibility though.

#4 John Terry

After watching Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole leave Stamford Bridge for greener pastures, John Terry, who has been a mainstay in the Chelsea fold for more than a decade now, is facing the prospect of a potential exit.

An excellent defender, influential leader and always the one to lead by example, the 34-year old's dedication towards Chelsea is unquestionabe. After being rewarded a contract extensiom in May last year, Terry will be hoping that his employers offer him much of the same this time around too. And, to his delight, Jose Mourinho recently dropped the clearest hint of a possible extension for the veteran.

"I know young guys at 36 or 37. John is one of them. I had Javier Zanetti at Inter who was already 37. When the other guys came after a day off from training, he’d run from his home to burn the energy from his day off, the Portuguese said in his pre-match press conference before facing Tottenham earlier this month.

"I don’t know (how long Terry can play). You never know when. The important thing is that, tomorrow, it’s the next match and he’s in great condition to play.

#5 Ron Vlaar

After enjoying a successful World Cup campaign with Netherlands, many had expected Ron Vlaar to make that massive leap and join a leading Premier League club. However, nothing of that sort really materialized.

At 29 years of age, Vlaar has abundant amount of experience and is at the peak of his career, and a reunion with former Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal is a strong possibility. His agent though, has time and again refuted claims of a possible switch to United while also reiterating the fact that they haven't opened talks over a contract extension with Villa and that now is the time for the defender to make the ‘big switch’. Arnold Oosterveer, Vlaar's agent said, "It is obvious that for Ron, now is the moment to make a nice big move in his career”.

"Ron is very ambitious.

"The situation is ideal for Ron right now. You can imagine that we are not in a hurry. I don't want to react to the rumour that he will move to either Arsenal or Man United, but Ron is very ambitious."

Vlaar himself has admitted that there have been no concrete talks of a new contract just yet. "I have nothing to say because there is nothing going on," Vlaar said. "I have spoken to the gaffer a few times [about a new deal], but that is it so far."

Paul Lambert is adamant on keeping hold of his captain and has ruled out a January switch.

"I'm pretty sure those talks [contractual discussions] will keep on going. It's not something I'm sitting here thinking about what's going to happen. They're the ones with good dialogue, so I don't have any issues," the Villa manager said.