Every year, there are thousands of players coming to the end of their current deals – some high-profile, others further down the footballing pyramid.
This opens up the opportunity for these players to move on in the summer, with a number of stars set to be available for free, whether they have been unable to agree on fresh terms or simply come to the end of their time at their current clubs.
Here, we look at some of the best players who could be looking for a new club for 2025/26.
Player
Departed
Joined
Year
Gianluca Vialli
Juventus
Chelsea
1996
Steve McManaman
Liverpool
Real Madrid
1999
Sol Campbell
Tottenham
Arsenal
2001
Michael Ballack
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
2006
Raul
Real Madrid
Schalke
2010
Andrea Pirlo
Milan
Juventus
2011
Robert Lewandowski
Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich
2014
Zlatan Ibrahimović
PSG
Manchester United
2016
Sergio Agüero
Man City
Barcelona
2021
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
PSG
2021
1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin Everton
It looks as though Dominic Calvert-Lewin is heading towards the end of his Everton career, with several high-profile clubs expected to make an offer to secure his signature.
AS Monaco were one of those interested in the English striker back in January, but the Toffees stopped short of claiming a fee for Calvert-Lewin, leaving them open to a free sale.
There is speculation that Newcastle United are an interested club, with Calvert-Lewin set to call time on his stay on Merseyside.
2 Jonathan David Lille
Many feel that Lille have made a massive mistake by allowing the contract of star striker Jonathan David to run down, meaning they will likely lose out on a significant transfer fee.
There appears to be no shortage of offers for the forward. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed in January that two Serie A sides had made offers, while four Premier League teams were reportedly keen on striking a pre-contract agreement with David ahead of next season.
However, it feels like Serie A champions Napoli are close to securing an agreement with the Canadian, despite interest from rivals Juventus. Whoever manages to sign him will be securing one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.
3 Ben Davies Tottenham Hotspur
Fresh from winning the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur, it appears as though Ben Davies will be leaving N17 in the near future.
The Welshman joined the Lilywhites from Swansea City in 2014, becoming one of the first to join under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Leeds United and Burnley were both linked to the full-back recently, so Davies may end up staying in the Premier League.
4 Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was so often at the heart of the success Manchester City achieved since he joined in the summer of 2015.
With 422 appearances for the Etihad side, De Bruyne has been their talisman, never more so than during the 2022/23 season as they won the treble. Indeed, he registered 41 goal contributions for the club that year.
Napoli are the team most strongly linked with the Belgian, with Antonio Conte’s side intent on building on their Scudetto success.
5 Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure revealed he would be leaving Everton at the expiry of his contract in the summer. The midfielder bowed out after helping the Toffees to a final-day win over Newcastle in the Premier League, and will now be looking for a new club ahead of 2025/26.
A £20m signing from Watford in 2020, Doucoure scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history as they survived relegation at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
It appears that a move to the Middle East is on the cards as it stands, with multiple Saudi Arabian clubs among the interested parties for the Malian’s services.
6 Angel Gomes Lille
Angel Gomes is another player set to leave Lille in the summer, alongside teammate Jonathan David. The midfielder, who made his England debut in September, joined the French outfit from Manchester United in 2020 on a free transfer and will again be on the move for nothing.
His old club are among the clubs interested in his signature, while Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping the promise of Champions League football will sway things in their favour.
7 Victor Lindelof Manchester United
With first-team opportunities turning into a premium in recent seasons, it is no surprise that Swedish defender Victor Lindelof allowed his deal at Manchester United to run down.
Lindelof struggled with injuries and started just six times in the league in 2024/25, with his role in the side further diminishing amid a number of centre-back arrivals in recent windows.
There are plenty of clubs lining up to sign him, including four Premier League clubs and former side Benfica.
8 Tyrick Mitchell Crystal Palace
Despite starring for the Eagles in the FA Cup final, Tyrick Mitchell is yet to publicly commit his future to Crystal Palace. That said, Mitchell may not be about to see his deal at Selhurst Park expire, with conflicting reports over the status of his contract.
Nevertheless, he continues to be linked away, with Milan among his potential suitors, though whether the Rossoneri would have to pay a fee remains to be seen.
9 Thomas Partey Arsenal
Thomas Partey’s contract at Arsenal is up in the summer, though his time in N5 may not be as close to ending as it may seem.
That’s because Mikel Arteta has previously stated his desire to keep the Ghana international at the club, so a new deal may be in the offing.
Partey has been linked away in previous windows, with interest coming from Italy and Saudi Arabia in the past. This time around, Juventus, Barcelona and former club Atletico Madrid have all been mentioned as potential destinations.
10 Leroy Sane Bayern Munich
It may have come as a surprise to many when Leroy Sané swapped Manchester City for Bayern Munich, especially with the Pep Guardiola era in full swing, but the German has been a crucial player for the Bavarians.
Indeed, he ended the 2024/25 season with 116 goal contributions – 61 goals and 55 assists – in 220 appearances since joining, a rate of one goal involvement every 1.9 matches, marking a spectacular record.
If a club can secure his signature for nothing in the summer, they would be signing a player still at the peak of his powers.