Eleven stars of European football who may be available this summer as they have just twelve months to run on their contracts.
The deciding factor for many big transfers in European football is the fact that a player has just one year left on his contract, a position that puts their club in a difficult position. Either they could cash in, as Arsenal famously did with Robin van Persie, or hold on to him and risk losing their star on a free – as Borussia Dortmund did with Robert Lewandowski, who has joined Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich this summer. These eleven players could all be on the move this summer unless they can agree a new deal with their respective employers.
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GK) Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone finally lived up to the potential that he had always had at Arsenal in the last twelve months, the Italian emerging as one of the key reasons for Sunderland’s impressive run to the League Cup final and dramatic escape from relegation. Gus Poyet has spoken of his desire to keep Mannone at the Stadium of Light beyond next summer, but with no talks until after the summer it is possible that the Italian’s head could be turned.
RB) Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Barcelona right back Dani Alves is currently a part of the Brazil side that is hoping to lift the 2014 FIFA World Cup on home soil, but he may have some thinking to do once he gets back to his club. Former Sevilla man Alves has just one year to run on his deal at the Nou Camp and has previously spoken of his uncertainty over signing a new deal due to the unstable nature of things at the club, although the appointment of new manager Luis Enrique may change that.
CB) Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan centre back Andrea Ranocchia emerged as one of few bright sparks for the club in a miserable season in which they once again missed out on the Champions League. Things could get even worse for Walter Mazzarri’s team, with Serie A champions Juventus now courting their star man as he enters the final year of his deal at the San Siro.
CB) Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord)
Dutch international centre back Stefan de Vrij has been linked with a move to Premier League giants Liverpool, something that may become even more likely if he does not agree a new deal with his Eredivisie side in the near future. A composed performer in defence, de Vrij is currently on international duty with new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal’s Dutch team.
LB) Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen looks certain to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer due to losing his place in the line-up and having just twelve months remaining on his deal, with Premier League rivals Manchester United having emerged as surprise contenders for his signature.
RM) Andre Ayew (Marseille)
Explosive Marseille winger Andre Ayew seems likely to leave the Ligue 1 club once his World Cup campaign with Ghana is over – and Liverpool are just one of many clubs to have been linked with his signature. A quick and strong wide player, Ayew emerged through the system at Marseille but looks ready to leave his younger brother Jordan behind and head for pastures new.
CM) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Real Madrid’s German international midfielder Sami Khedira, who looks set to leave the Bernabeu with just twelve months to run on his current contract.
CM) Toni Kroos
Bayern Munich central midfielder Toni Kroos has been at the centre of one of the summer’s longest-running transfer sagas so far, with Manchester United and Chelsea amongst the clubs to have been linked with a man who has so far refused to sign a new deal at the Allianz Arena. Bayern are likely to sell this summer unless contract talks regain pace, with Kroos having the option to walk away on a free transfer in twelve months’ time.
LM) Hatem Ben Arfa
Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa found himself training with the reserves last season after a falling out with Alan Pardew, and has now been linked with a lucrative move to Qatar. The former Marseille winger will probably be moving on from St. James’ Park, with just twelve months left on his deal and the Magpies and owner Mike Ashley unlikely to want to lose him on a free transfer.
CF) Karim Benzema
France striker Karim Benzema will still be celebrating his two goals that helped Les Bleus to an opening World Cup victory over Honduras, but the Real Madrid man’s future at club level remains uncertain. Benzema has just one year left on his contract and, with the Bernabeu club suggested to be chasing the likes of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, the Frenchman is believed to want his wages at the club to match his perceived worth to the team. This has alerted the likes of Arsenal, who have been linked with his services.
CF) Alvaro Morata
Partnering Benzema in attack for our one-year remaining XI is his Real Madrid teammate Alvaro Morata, another player who has been incessantly linked with Arsenal. The young centre forward is believed to want assurances of first team football before signing an extended deal at the Bernabeu, news which has alerted the likes of Arsene Wenger and Juventus boss Antonio Conte.
Full team on next page!