From Modrić to Vlahović: the standout footballers whose contracts expire on June 30
On June 30, the contracts of an impressive array of footballers will expire, from world-class talent Luka Modrić (40) at AC Milan to striker Dušan Vlahović (26) at Juventus. The free agent transfer market promises to be particularly active this season, especially for clubs in Ligue 1 who are constrained in their spending due to the television rights crisis.
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer as the biggest name
Between the sticks, Yann Sommer stands out as the most prominent free agent: the 37-year-old Swiss keeper was Inter Milan's first choice for three years but is now without a contract. Matthew Ryan (Levante, 34), Stefan Ortega (Nottingham Forest, 33) and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor, 33) are also seeing their deals expire. For the Ligue 1 market, Ilan Meslier is the most interesting option. Despite being second choice at Leeds United, the 26-year-old is considered an attractive prospect. Paul Nardi (QPR, 32) and French-Portuguese goalkeeper Samu (27), who won the Portuguese second division title with Marítimo, are also available.
Defenders: big names and Malang Sarr in the spotlight
The supply of defenders is substantial. Right-back Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo, 27) and former Lille player Zeki Çelik (AS Roma, 29) stand out, as do veterans Thomas Meunier (Lille, 34), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, 34) and Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan, 36). In the centre, John Stones (Manchester City, 32), David Alaba (Real Madrid, 34), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan, 34) and Andreas Christensen (FC Barcelona, 30) are free agents. At left-back, Raphaël Guerreiro (Bayern Munich, 32) and Aleksandr Zinchenko (Ajax, 29) are available. For Ligue 1, Malang Sarr (RC Lens, 27) is the most highly regarded free defender. The Lille players Chancel Mbemba (31) and Aïssa Mandi (34) are also on the market, along with Gautier Lloris (Le Havre, 30) and Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz, 30). Centre-backs Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite (both 27) from Union Berlin have the profile for a step up to a top club. Right-back William Mikelbrencis (Hamburger SV, 22) is also available, as are Koffi Kouao (Metz, 28) and Warren Kamanzi (Toulouse, 25). On the left-back flank, Darlin Yongwa (Lorient, 25), Deiver Machado (Nantes, 32), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente, 30), Arthur Zagré (Excelsior Rotterdam, 24) and Florian Miguel (Burgos, 29) are without clubs.
Midfielders: World Cup campaigners and a French world champion
Several renowned midfielders are combining their World Cup campaigns with a search for new employers. Brazilians Casemiro (Manchester United, 34) and Fabinho (Al-Ittihad, 32), German Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich, 31), Croat Luka Modrić (AC Milan, 40), Ivorian Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, 29) and Colombian James Rodríguez (Minnesota United, 34) are all looking for new clubs. On the Ligue 1 market, Nabil Bentaleb (Lille, 31), Bilal Nadir (Olympique Marseille, 22), Le Havre's Yassine Kechta (24), Sofiane Boufal and Abdoulaye Touré (both 32) and Vincent Marchetti (Paris FC, 28) are free agents. Former Ligue 1 players like Teddy Teuma (Standard Liège, 32) and Nabil Fekir (Al-Jazira, 32) could also be tempted back.
Forwards: Vlahović seeks a new challenge, Kamada in hot form
Among the strikers, Paulo Dybala (AS Roma, 32), Mauro Icardi (Galatasaray, 33) and Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona, 37) are the most well-known names seeing their contracts expire. The most striking free agent, however, is Dušan Vlahović (26), who after four and a half seasons at Juventus is seeking a new club. On the flanks, Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace, 29), who scored three times for Japan at the World Cup, and Harry Wilson (Fulham, 29) are attractive options. From Ligue 1, Bamba Dieng (Lorient, 26), who scored fifteen times in all competitions in the second half of the season, and Krépin Diatta (Monaco, 27) are available on free transfers. Wesley Saïd (RC Lens, 31) and Frank Magri (Toulouse, 26) are also on the market. An interesting punt could be Afimico Pululu (27, Jagiellonia Białystok), the Franco-Congolese striker who scored fifteen times in the Polish league.
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Source: Via L'Équipe (GNews)
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