This Wednesday 1is January marked the opening of the winter transfer window but not only that. Since this date, players at the end of their contract on June 30 can officially and freely negotiate with the club of their choice to join. And it concerns some very good people, with names that have marked the recent history of football. The proof with this typical team.
Guardians
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, emblematic figure of German football, could continue with Bayern Munich. But he has still not re-signed and, recently impacted by a rib fracture, a non-extension would not allow him to exceed the symbolic bar of fifteen years spent at Bayern (since 2011, arriving from Schalke 04). . To surpass Olivier Kahn and his fourteen seasons (1994-2008).
But also : David De Gea (Fiorentina), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven) and Alex Meret (Napoli)
Right and left backs
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool, right back) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, left back). Two of the best in their position and at the end of their contract on June 30, 2025. Two names who would be courted by Real Madrid. THE Meringues want to sniff out good moves with players without transfer compensation and a big signing bonus, like Kylian Mbappé last summer.
But also :
Right-backs: Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) and Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)
Left backs: Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais)
Central defenders
Like Alexander-Arnold, central defender Virgil Van Dijk (33 years old, Liverpool) is also coming to the end of his contract with the Reds. This situation does not seem to worry him too much. “We'll see what the future has in store for us, there is no deadline,” replied the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 2019, in the mixed zone after the impressive victory against Tottenham on December 22. The Dutchman has found the best form of his career in recent months and is once again considered one of the best central defenders in the world.
Another defender who represents a good opportunity, Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen). Captain of the German club, the 28-year-old international also has the advantage of being physically reliable (no injuries for 3 years).
But also: Harry Maguire (Manchester United) and Olivier Boscagli (PSV Eindhoven)
Midfielders
In the Bayern Munich midfield, a departure of Joshua Kimmich (29 years old) is also a possibility, he who was courted by PSG last summer according to The Team. On the other side of the Channel, the romance between Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne would be on the verge of ending. The Belgian international notably opened the door to a departure to Saudi Arabia last summer, while not hiding that the financial aspect would be a major asset in his thinking.
But also : André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Marco Verratti (Al-Arabi SC), Luka Modric (Real Madrid)…
Attackers
A Lionel Messi – Cristiano Ronaldo association? This could have made everyone dream aficionados to see these two football monsters lined up together. Since the start of their respective careers, the duo have scored a staggering total of 1,777 goals (916 for the Portuguese and 861 for the Argentinian).
Here they are now in the typical free agent team. The Argentine is reportedly in the process of extending his contract with Inter Miami, with an option to extend until 2026. He could be joined by his friend and former teammate Neymar, also at the end of his contract, to make a team resembling more and more to the old Barça (Messi, Suarez, Busquets, Alba…).
For his part, Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the kingdom of the Arabian Peninsula, whose signing for Al-Nassr caused a sensation at the end of 2022. Aged 39, he nevertheless remains an important figure in the Saudi league with 10 goals and 2 assists decisive goals in 12 league matches this season.
The situation of Mohamed Salah is even more astonishing. The Egyptian from Liverpool, in very good form at the start of the season, has still not received a contract offer from the Reds. “I’m probably closer to leaving than staying,” he even declared at the end of November.
But also : Heung-Min Son (Tottenham), Jonathan David (Lille), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich), Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
