Some high-profile players will be out of contract at the end of the season, and will become free agents.
A free agent is a player whose contract with his or her current club has expired and is free to join any other club on a Bosman transfer.
Clubs can even sign free agents even when the transfer window is not open. Signing such players will not cost the team any transfer fees — this is known as “a free transfer”.
In this post, FootballOrbit takes a look at 10 of the best players who will become free agents once their current deals expires at the end of the 2022/23 season.
1. Lionel Messi
In the summer of 2021, Lionel Messi left Barcelona on a free transfer to join PSG — signing a 2-year contract.
The contract expires on the 30th of June 2023 and both parties haven’t agreed on a new deal yet.
After guiding Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December, Messi won’t be short of admirers if he decides to move on.
2. Karim Benzema
Like Messi, Karim Benzema’s contract also expires on June 30, 2023.
Expect Real Madrid to do everything in their power to keep hold of the current Ballon d’Or winner who has been their best player in recent seasons.
3. N’golo Kante
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in his prime, N’golo Kante has been plagued with injuries in recent seasons.
This has made Chelsea hesitant to hand him a new deal so far, with his current contract running out at the end of the season.
Other top sides are reportedly monitoring Kante’s situation at Chelsea.
4. Luka Modric
Luka Modric will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Real Madrid are looking to give the 37-year-old midfielder a one-year contract extension, as they still consider him to be at the height of his power.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped AC Milan win the Serie A title at the end of last season, many expected him to hang his boots.
But Swedish forward signed a new deal that will keep him at the club till the end of the current campaign.
Injuries have limited the 41-year-old’s playing time in 2022/23 and it remains to be seen if he will still continue playing or decide to call it a day.
6. Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans joined Leicester City from Monaco in 2019 and has since been a loyal servant to the Foxes.
The Belgian’s most memorable moment for the club was scoring the winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2021.
The 25-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, and many suitors are already queuing up to sign him.
7. Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 and has been successful in the Premier League so far.
He has won 4 Premier League crowns and has been very important for Pep Guardiola’s side.
But the German could be on his way out of the Etihad if City do not grant him an extension to his contract, which expires in June 2023.
8. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is one of the best signings Real Madrid have ever made and has helped them win every available trophy.
Now 32, Kroos still remains a key player for Real Madrid. But his time with Los Blancos could come to an end at the end of the season though.
9. Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino is another high-profile player who will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp wants the Brazilian striker to continue at Liverpool, and is encouraging the club to extend his contract for a few more years.
Firmino has been essential for the Reds this campaign following injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
10. David de Gea
David de Gea’s career at Manchester United could be coming to an end after this season.
The Spaniard has been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year 5 times in his time at Old Trafford.
He will be out of contract in June and conversations between the club and the player’s representatives to negotiate his future have yet to take effect.
The Red Devils want to significantly reduce his huge wages by at least £100,000 per week, which will save them around £5m per year.
Still just 32, the goalkeeper still has a number of years left at the highest level.
Honourable Mentions
¶Milan Skriniar
¶Wilfried Zaha
¶Angel di Maria
¶Marcus Thuram
¶Adrien Rabiot
¶Marco Asensio
¶Naby Keita
¶Marco Reus
¶Adama Traore
¶Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
¶James Rodriguez
¶Ross Barkley
