Top 10 best footballers available on pre-contract in January 2024

In just 3 weeks these footballers will cost ‘zero’ transfer fees on a pre-contract

We are almost halfway into the football calendar season across the globe. The January transfer window is nearing and will get going in 3 weeks. The winter window comes in handy to sign players as needed to help out a club with the rest of the season and even to get rid of players causing trouble in the dressing room.

Many times players are also nearing the final sixth month period of their current contracts with a club during this time. Thanks to the Bosman ruling, this allows other clubs to secure the footballer on a pre-contract. And in all of these ‘zero’ transfer fees are involved. So it is a win-win situation for both the player and his new employers. These world-class players will be able to make use of the Bosman ruling and agree on a pre-contract this January to play for a different club from the 2024-25 season and onwards.

10. Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The 26-year-old full-back of Manchester United has a contract extension clause in his contract until December end. The Red Devils seem reluctant to trigger it or even offer a fresh new deal to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the moment. This should open the door for other clubs to swoop in for the right-back who also goes by the nickname of ‘The Spider’.

9. Ángel Di María

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is one of the most decorated winger out there. One might think he is already 35 and won’t get any younger. But since Ángel Di María is considering retirement from international football after 2024 Copa America, it is more likely that he is adjusting to remain more competent in club football.

8. Fabian Schär

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have caused many upsets this season. The Magpies have defeated Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and even Paris Saint-Germain. And if we have a close look, Fabian Schär has been the constant force to reckon with in the Newcastle backline. So far the 31-year-old Swiss centre-back has played every minute of Premier League and UEFA Champions League football.

7. Luka Modric

Just like Karim Benzema and many other footballers, Luka Modric could have made the move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. But Real Madrid assured him of his importance in the Los Blancos side due to which Modric agreed to a year more. As things are moving, we see less involvement of the Croatian midfielder in the team and the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly getting frustrated. The Saudi Pro League clubs should be back like sharks to lure the 38-year-old midfield maestro finally.

6. Wissam Ben Yedder

AS Monaco paid €40 million which was Wissam Ben Yedder’s release clause to acquire the services of the striker from Sevilla FC in 2019. This January any club willing can try and sign the goal-getter for free on a pre-contract. The current club captain of AS Monaco has made 14 appearances in Ligue 1 scoring 6 goals.

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5. Alex Meret

In SSC Napoli‘s 2022-23 Serie A winning run, goalkeeper Alex Meret was outstanding. Last season Meret made 34 Italian first-tier appearances out of which 16 were clean sheets. This season as well, the Italian goalkeeper is a crucial part of the Gli Azzurri side. So far he has kept 5 clean sheets in all competitions. Most importantly Alex Meret is just 26.

4. Mario Hermoso

The Madrid-born centre-back is having a turnaround season. Seemingly Mario Hermoso was ending up as an unreliable choice in the defensive setup of Atlético de Madrid last season. So far this season, Hermoso has started every game. Be it in LaLiga or Champions League, Diego Simeone is picking the 28-year-old for Los Colchoneros time and time again this 2023-24 season.

3. Wilfred Ndidi

Just this Saturday, Wilfred Ndidi made his 16th appearance in the EFL Championship against Plymouth Argyle and scored his second league goal. After Leicester City dropped to the Championship following relegation in the 2022-23 season from the Premier League, Wilfred Ndidi was expected to be prized away. With James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Timothy Castagne already having made moves away in the summer, many suitors are expected in January to try and get the 26-year-old Nigerian defensive midfielder.

2. Adrien Rabiot

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus are just 2 points adrift from current Serie A leaders Inter. In the Bianconeri dressing room, central midfielder Adrien Rabiot is reportedly enjoying his time in Turin. Having made 14 appearances in the Italian league, Rabiot has made 3 assists while also scoring 2 goals of his own. He moved to the Old Lady camp back in 2019 for free and this January clubs can take him away for free too.

1. Kylian Mbappe

Getting a player of this stature for ‘free’ will probably be the biggest move a club is likely to make this January. Kylian Mbappé may be playing regularly for Paris Saint-Germain but one should not forget he opted out of a contract extension till 2025 which was solely in his hands. Mbappé’s contract is set to run out on 30 June 2024. This makes him available for a club to sign him on a pre-contract from January onwards.

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