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Out-of-contract XI, players in their 20s
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier, aged 26, contract expiring at Leeds United
The goalkeeper joined Leeds as a teenager but departs the Yorkshire club having not made a first-team appearance since March 2025. Meslier was recently seen alone on the Elland Road pitch, seemingly contemplating his departure.
Right-back
Óscar Mingueza, aged 26, Celta Vigo
The Spain international didn’t make Luis de la Fuente’s World Cup squad but has been linked with a move to Newcastle, Aston Villa and Juventus, among others. The former Barcelona defender can also play at centre-back and reportedly favours a move to the Premier League.
Centre-back
Ibrahima Konaté, 27, Liverpool
The Frenchman is in the prime of his career and had lengthy talks with Liverpool to renew his deal but is now poised to join Real Madrid after Florentino Pérez, announced that the defender is a key target upon being re-elected as president.
Centre-back
Marco Senesi, 29, Bournemouth
Another who missed out on a World Cup call-up despite a sensational season for Bournemouth. After escaping relegation, Tottenham are on the verge of announcing a deal for the Argentinian, who contributed five assists and made more progressive passes per 90 minutes (9.3) than any other Premier League player last season.
Left-back
Souffian El Karouani, 25, Utrecht
A relative unknown on this list but the Dutch-born Moroccan international contributed 18 assists in all competitions for Utrecht in 2025-26. Will join Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, a club managed by Brendan Rodgers.
Right wing
Allan Saint-Maximin, 29, Lens
The former Newcastle star joined Lens on a sixth-month deal in January having left Club América after claiming his children were the victims of racist abuse in Mexico. Scored a stunning solo goal on his league debut for Lens, who finished as Ligue 1 runners-up to PSG.
Central midfield
Franck Kessié, 29, Al-Ahli
The former Milan and Barcelona midfielder has spent the last three seasons in Saudi Arabia and will almost certainly have to take a pay cut if he wants to return to Europe. Looks likely to land back in Italy, with Inter, Juventus and Roma keen.
Central midfield
Arthur Avom, 21, Lorient
The youngest on our list, but one of the most exciting talents here. Alongside Eli Junior Kroupi in 2024-25, Avom was crucial in getting Lorient promoted back into Ligue 1, where the midfielder has again impressed. A reunion with Kroupi at Bournemouth is not off the cards.
Left wing
Jadon Sancho, 26, Manchester United
Became a Europa League winner on loan at Aston Villa but it was another underwhelming season – one goal in 39 appearances under Unai Emery. That Manchester United chose to release Sancho rather than take up a 12-month option to extend his expensive contract says a lot.
Attacking midfield
Harry Wilson, 29, Fulham
The best season of the Welshman’s career to date, which included a hat-trick for his country, 10 goals and seven assists for Fulham in the Premier League and three goal of the month contenders (including this sumptuous trivela against Crystal Palace). Heavily linked with Aston Villa.
Striker
Dusan Vlahovic, 26, Juventus
Four years on from his £58m signing from Fiorentina, the forward departs for free with just a single Coppa Italia title to his name. Despite featuring in just half of Juventus’s league games, some big names are circling, with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Newcastle all mentioned as potential destinations.
Out-of-contract XI, players in their 30s
Goalkeeper
Yann Sommer, 37, contract expiring at Inter
The two-time Scudetto winner has proved a fine successor for André Onana in the past three seasons. Inter have reportedly offered the Swiss an extension as a back-up keeper on reduced terms but there are talks of a rival offer from Ajax.
Right-back
Dani Carvajal, 34, Real Madrid
After over 23 years, 450 first-team appearances and 27 major honours, Carvajal departs. The arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries have been fatal for Carvajal, who was named by Florentino Pérez as “a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its academy”.
Centre-back
Antonio Rüdiger, 33, Real Madrid
The German’s contract is set to expire later this month, although José Mourinho is a fan of the battle-hardened defender. Real Madrid will reportedly offer a one-year extension – which is a club policy for players over the age of 30.
Centre-back
John Stones, 32, Manchester City
The World Cup could not have come at a better time for the Englishman, who should get the chance to impress suitors and prove his fitness after 10 trophy-laden years at City. A return to Everton could be scuppered by interest from Bayern and former teammate Vincent Kompany.
Left-back
Andy Robertson, 32, Liverpool
The only player on this list who has, at the time of writing, officially confirmed his plans for next season, as the popular Scot’s move from Liverpool to Tottenham was confirmed on Friday. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is delighted, calling Robertson “a proven winner at the highest level and someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.”
Central midfield
Casemiro, 34, Manchester United
Plenty of ups and downs for the Brazilian who earned close to £365,000-a-week at United, but Casemiro was excellent in the last of his four seasons at United, and received a hero’s farewell at Old Trafford in the club’s final home game. Looks likely to move to either Saudi Arabia or the MLS.
Central midfield
Julian Brandt, 30, Borussia Dortmund
Sneaks into this side after turning 30 last month. Brandt was sometimes Dortmund’s best player but could also go missing and was left out of Germany’s squad this summer. Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken said of Brandt: “He was sometimes criticised, but I loved his style.” Atlético Madrid are hovering.
Attacking midfield
Bernardo Silva, 31, Manchester City
Pep Guardiola described Silva as “his weakness” and it is no surprise the Portuguese is following his manager out of the door, despite a brilliant season at City. Agent Jorge Mendes has said Silva will wait until the end of the World Cup before deciding his future, with Barcelona and former club Benfica the favourites for his signature.
Attacking midfield
Paulo Dybala, 32, Roma
The little Argentinian is now expected to renew his deal with Roma after the new sporting director, Tony D’Amico, raised the club’s contract offer. But until the ink is dry, all options are open. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Palermo have just made an audacious bid to bring Dybala back to Sicily, which was turned down.
Striker
Robert Lewandowski, 37, Barcelona
Three La Liga titles in four years for Barcelona and 14 league goals this past season shows that the Polish striker is still a world-class player on his day. Despite his years, Lewandowski’s wage demands will be substantial which means a move to Saudi or the MLS looks the most likely next step.
Striker
Memphis Depay, 32, Corinthians
The Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer has said he would “love to stay” at Corinthians after becoming a fan favourite at the Brazilian club. “I’ve done enough, I think everyone knows my desire,” he said last month. “The club, the fans, they know that I love Corinthians. I’m going to the World Cup. The club needs to show its ambition.”
