The 2022 summer transfer window is gearing up to be one of the most memorable of all time.
There are heaps of top players out of contract and with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic still being felt by many top clubs, transfer fees are out of fashion.
There is bound to be lots of moving and shaking then. If you are struggling to keep track of all the players who might be on the move, we don’t blame you. Here are some of the top stars who could be snatched on bargain deals next season.
All the noise coming out of Paris Saint-Germain suggests that Kylian Mbappe will not be extending his deal.
Expect a transfer tug of war the likes of which he have never seen before over the coming months. It’s anyone’s guess who will win. If we had to guess we’d say Real Madrid with end up scooping the generational talent.
It will be fascinating to see how the Cristiano Ronaldo situation unfolds over the coming months.
Brought in to help end Juventus’ Champions League drought, the Old Lady are yet to dispel their European hoodoo. Ronaldo will have one more chance to bring home the bacon this season, before he heads off to goodness knows where next summer.
Raphael Varane could soon be penning terms at Manchester United. For now, though, he remains eligible for this list.
We understand will he might want a fresh challenge. He has been at Real for a decade and has won everything there is to win multiple times.
Paul Pogba must be sick to death of people discussing his future. The bad news is things are only getting started.
Real and PSG are long time admirers, as are former club Juventus. However, with Manchester United strengthening in the transfer window, could he even be tempted to stay at Old Trafford?
Leon Goretzka’s transformation into a world class midfielder (and potential future bodybuilder) over the past few seasons has been a joy to behold.
Bayern Munich will be eager to keep hold of him but if Pogba departs United he could be the ideal replacement.
Eduardo Camavinga is the hottest attainable prospect in European football. Still a teenager he already has bags of first team experience and would make a terrific addition to most top sides.
Rennes will want a transfer fee for the midfielder, but if those targeting the Frenchman can wait 12 months they could sign him for free.
Paulo Dybala has been linked with a move away from Juventus for an eternity.
Next summer, the prophecy might finally be realised. United have been perennially mentioned as a possible destination but they will not be the only club interested.
Lorenzo Insigne has given Napoli the best years of his career, but with Gli Azzurri failing to qualify for the Champions League last season it could be time to move on.
Insigne will have just turned 31 when his contract expires next summer, meaning he still has a few more years at the top level left.
Now 24, Ousmane Dembele needs to start producing fast to avoid being pigeon holed as a player who came nowhere close to fulfilling their potential.
Barcelona are keen to see the back of him and his obscene wages so perhaps a move away is exactly what he needs to start thriving.
Franck Kessie is set to appear in the Champions League for the first time ever after he helped Milan secure an impressive second placed Serie A finish last season.
This could put him in the shop window ahead of a potential move next summer, though the Rossoneri will be keen to keep the penalty maestro around.
Marcel Sabitzer is entering his peak and the RB Leipzig captain might be tempted by a fresh challenge away from the Bundesliga.
There is plenty to like about Sabitzer, particularly for high pressing teams.
A brief two-season holiday to Sassuolo aside, Lorenzo Pellegrini has been at Roma since he was nine-years-old.
That could come to an end next summer or perhaps even sooner, with Tottenham said to be interested in the midfielder.
Marcelo Brozovic has been a loyal servant to Inter for six years and few members of Antonio Conte’s squad would have enjoyed last season’s Scudetto win more than him.
With the club in financial disarray he seems unlikely to pen fresh terms before next summer.
Andrea Belotti has shown remarkable loyalty to Torino over the years, but as he approaches his 30s he will be acutely aware that time is running out for him to secure a high profile move.
There would be no shortage of suitors with Belotti notching double figures goals in each of his past six Serie A seasons.
Fitness problems have prevented Niklas Sule from really kicking on at Bayern despite some promising displays.
If he does not enjoy an injury free campaign this time around Bayern might neglect to offer him fresh terms.
Christensen had a great Euro 2020 / Pierre-Philippe Marcou – Pool/Getty Images
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel seems to be a fan of Andreas Christensen – but as of yet he has not got around to extending his contract.
The Blues have plenty of centre-backs meaning a new deal is not a certainty, though it is pretty likely.
Rudiger is a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge / David Ramos/Getty Images
Christensen is not the only Chelsea defender with an uncertain future. Antonio Rudiger’s deal is also expiring.
Like Christensen, Tuchel seems to be a fan of his fellow German but for now he could be snapped up on a free at the end of the season.
Stones impressed alongside Ruben Dias last season / David Ramos/Getty Images
John Stones managed to rebuild his reputation extremely effectively last season and went on to have an excellent Euro 2020.
If City choose to let him go he would be well suited to a move abroad should he fancy it.
Carvajal has been a near ever present for Real over the years / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
Dani Carvajal endured an injury hit 2020/21 season and it remains to be seen whether he’ll force his way back into the first team this term.
It could be a pivotal year for the right-back as well with the expiration of his contract just around the corner.
Lacazette’s Arsenal career could be over soon / Steve Welsh/Getty Images
Arsenal have a lot of underperforming older players on their books.
Alexandre Lacazette is one of them and it is likely he will depart the club next summer if not sooner. The only problem might be finding a suitor.
Could Benzema seriously leave the Spanish capital? / Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
This is an interesting one. Karim Benzema has been in scintillating form for Real over the past few seasons and shows little sign of slowing down.
However, with Los Blancos eyeing up a move for Mbappe next summer, he could be shipped out to free up some space in the wage bill.
Ings seems ready to move on / Robin Jones/Getty Images
Danny Ings seems to have had enough of life on the south coast and wants to test himself at a top Premier League club.
If the Saints do not acquiesce to his demands his suitors might be able to get a very good deal next summer.
Lingard could have a future at Manchester United / Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
Prior to his loan move to West Ham last January, the idea of Jesse Lingard getting a new Manchester United contract was farcical.
After seriously impressing in east London, though, Lingard might just have a future at Old Trafford. Even if he doesn’t sign a new deal, they will be a long queue of clubs trying to secure his signature next summer.
Some have tipped Bale to play golf when he retires / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Who knows what Gareth Bale will get up to when his Real deal expires.
Join the PGA Tour – 10/1. Have a very relaxing time at Cardiff City – 8/1. Retire from club football and focus on Wales – Evens.
Isco could do with some new surroundings / Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Isco has been a bit-part player for some time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real’s enforced break from spending may result in him getting some more minutes this term, but after so long on the shelf he may fancy a new challenge next season anyway.
Roberto is the archetypal La Masia graduate / Alex Caparros/Getty Images
In an ideal world Barcelona would keep Sergi Roberto around beyond the end of next season.
This is not an ideal world, though. This is a world in which Barça hover on the brink of financial collapse. Roberto is among a long list of players on the chopping block and seems likely to depart before the end of his contract.
Tolisso rarely played for France at Euro 2020 / Daniel Mihailescu – Pool/Getty Images
At a club as dominant as Bayern there is always bound to be one or two players lost in the shuffle.
Corentin Tolisso fits this description aptly. Surely it’s time for him to get some regular minutes elsewhere?
Bernardeschi had a successful summer / Paul Ellis – Pool/Getty Images
With young guns Federico Chiesa and Dejan Kulusevski only set to improve, Federico Bernardeschi’s days at Juventus could be numbered.
We’re not sure about you, but he feels a bit Spurs-y in our opinion.
Hummels has has a trophy ladened career / Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Cracks are starting to show in the once rock solid Mats Hummels.
He is not finished, though, and could make a tidy addition should Dortmund choose to start their inevitable post-Erling Haaland rebuild without him.
Modric has retired from international duty / Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images
Luka Modric will be closing in on 37 when his Real contract expires. He has already called time on his international career but we reckon he’s got a few more years in the tank at club level.
Whether he chooses to return to his native Croatia, stays in Europe’s big five leagues or searches for one final big payday further afield remains to be seen.