Top 10 footballers who will be out of contract in July 2023

There are some really interesting names guaranteed to garner interest in the transfer window.

The 2022-23 season is approaching its final stretch, and with most leagues and footballers now heading into a crucial and critical stage, fans are seemingly hooked on the feisty title races, the scrutinizing relegation battle, as well as the mid-table saga for a higher finish.

All this drama that is already prevailing in the world of football might very well make us lose our focus from the oncoming summer transfer window. Transfer experts predict transfer records to be picking new heights, and unimagined drama to unravel between teams trying to sign their preferred players.

Also, the main ingredient that spices up the already assumed tasty and feisty transfer window, is the number of world-class players going out of contract this summer. From clubs and players debate over the terms of an extension, to other clubs trying to bring in a free transfer, there is surely going to be a lot of drama surrounding the players who will go out of contract this summer.

So here are the biggest names from the ‘no contract’ list.

10. Marco Reus

For the past 10-11 years, Marco Reus has been a very loyal servant to Borussia Dortmund, and despite having been offered an insane amount of money by different clubs, Reus is one player who has always chosen the Black and Yellow and is certainly a fan favorite in the Signal Iduna. The player’s contract with the club runs out this summer, and talks are ongoing between both parties over a possible extension. His effectiveness on the pitch is still very much the same, and he is a key cog in the BVB team.

Recent reports also suggest that Dortmund are willing to agree on a contract extension until 2024, but his salary will be cut down from 12 million Euro a year to 7 million in the best-case scenario.

9. Marcus Thuram

After Monchengladbach confirmed his departure this season on a free transfer, Marcus Thuram will be a player who will be widely sought after by some of Europe’s top clubs. The Frenchman has for the past few seasons been a terrific frontman, whose impressive physical abilities and killer instincts have been very beneficial for the German club.

A number of clubs have already expressed their intent to sign Marcus, including Bayern, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Inter, and it will be interesting to see which club goes on to land the talented striker.

8. Adrien Rabiot

Rabiot has had an insane redemption this season after a widely disappointing stay with the ‘Old Lady’. The Frenchman has surpassed everybody’s expectations with his performances. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have been convinced enough by Rabiot’s refound form to do what they’ve reportedly been hesitant to do over the last few months — make an improved contract offer. 

The player’s agents and the club are currently negotiating over a contract, and so far things are looking positive, however, uncertainties are still prevalent, as interest seems to mount up from England, where both United and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the player.

7. N’Golo Kante

After a tough start to the season due to a long-term injury, Kante is finally back on the pitch, but his time at the club remains uncertain as his contract expires this June. Although the midfield maestro has held talks with Chelsea, the dotted line still remains unsigned. Another key component fiddling with his contract situation is the interest being shown by next-door neighbors Arsenal, who enquired about the player’s availability.

Amidst such a crisis period in Chelsea, where managerial changes, poor form, and a bottom-half seat in the Premier League table have brought about mayhem and misery across Stamford Bridge, nothing is certain about Kante. Also, the past rumors of the cold and frosty relationship between Kante and their new interim coach Lampard can further dwindle the talks between the Frenchman and the Blues.

6. David de Gea

David De Gea is another one of the long-term constants whose future is now very unsure. De Gea has been a world-class keeper throughout his stint with United and has been a player who stood with the club through thick and thin. But with his four-year contract now coming to an end, United are opting for a 12-month extension, with a salary of £200,000 per week, which is £175,000 less than what he is earning with his current contract.

Talks have been ongoing for some time, and despite initial confidence from both sides that an agreement can be reached, progress has been slow, and his contract situation has reached a standoff at the moment. Also, De Gea’s vague replies to questions regarding his future at the club, prior to their Europa League clash against Sevilla have made it increasingly evident that there is a strong possibility of the Spaniard leaving Old Trafford this summer.

5. Roberto Firmino

After eight long years with the club, Roberto Firmino will bid farewell to the Reds this summer, as it has been confirmed that the club as well as the player have mutually agreed to part ways. Despite proving himself a number of times to the coach as well as the management, Firmino realized that he would be somewhat low on the pecking order in the future, and thus made the decision to not pen fresh terms for a longer stay at Anfield.

While there are a number of clubs trying to land the talented Brazilian attacker for a free transfer, Real Madrid are currently leading the race, with Spanish outlet El Nacional saying that the Los Blancos view Firmino as a bargain option to provide competition to or potentially succeed Karim Benzema in the short term. It has also been rumored that Firmino is keen on joining the Los Blancos, and the transfer is now a very likely scenario.

4. Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets needs no introduction whatsoever. The dynamic Barcelona midfielder has been at the club right from its glory days back in the early 2010s and has since then been a mainstay at the club. His experience and unmatched abilities in the middle of the park make him one of the best players in his position, and it has been that way for quite some time now.

Busquets’ contract also runs out this year, and while the player has been offered a one-year extension with the possibility of a further season, depending on performance, interest from MLS as well as from the middle east is making the Spaniard’s decision tougher.

3. Sergio Ramos

Ramos has had a bumpy two-year ride with Paris Saint Germain so far. In his first season with the club, Sergio struggled a lot because of a variety of injury issues and made only 13 appearances for Paris. But this season, despite his performances being pretty apt and up to the mark, the Parisians are very uncertain about extending his stay at the club, due to his age and injury problems.

Also, PSG are set to sign Milan Skriniar on a free transfer from Inter Milan this summer, so they will have a ready-made replacement if Ramos is not awarded a new contract, and at present, given the major problems at the club, and the constantly degrading performances week in and week out, everything points in the direction of an exit for the Spanish legend, who could very well leave Europe to play in the Middle-East or for an MLS side.

2. Ilkay Gundogan

Despite being one of City’s biggest assets for the past few seasons, and being such a crucial component of Pep’s side, it is strange to learn that the Sky Blues haven’t yet offered the German a contract to extend his stay, as his current deal ends this summer.

Despite keen interest being shown by Barcelona as well, it has been learned that Gundogan would still want to stay at the Etihad, if the Citizens meet his contractual requirements. An important consideration for Gündogan will be the length of his next deal which will help him make the decision of where to go next, according to his agent. Barcelona have been in conversations and will be looking to snap Gundogan up.

1. Lionel Messi

As La Pulga casts the dice on his future, a number of options are available for the World Cup winner, including a contract extension with the Parisians, a move to the MLS, or the chance to join Cristiano in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal. But the most interesting and sought-after possibility is definitely a shock return to Camp Nou.

In what has been an insane past few weeks, negotiations have once again ignited between Messi and Barcelona over a possible return to the club. The player as well as the club are reportedly very much convinced about the transfer, but the deciding factor in the player’s possible return will be Barca’s financial situation, which could go on to create a problem for them.