One Liverpool centre-back target moves ahead of a current Reds defender in this list of players available for free in 2026…
While talk swirls of the players available on a free transfer in 2025, with all just days away from being allowed to sign pre-contract agreements abroad, we’ve ranked – in order of value according to Transfermarkt – the 20 biggest stars currently due to become free agents next year.
20) Yves Bissouma (Tottenham)
Has not played a minute of football under Thomas Frank and is now injured, ruining any chances of a revival before his inevitable summer exit. Possible to Marseille or Nice.
19) Vitaly Janelt (Brentford)
A pretty much permanent Brentford substitute, there is unlikely to be anything approaching a scramble for the German.
18) John Stones (Manchester City)
Stones’ status has not diminished but City are prepared to wait while they assess entirely valid concerns about his fitness.
17) Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
That expiring contract was the reason Man Utd did not want to agree to another loan. But in the end they had no choice as Aston Villa came calling.
16) Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
A new contract is ‘a matter of time’ said Marco Silva in November.
15) Harry Wilson (Fulham)
There are reports Fulham are close to convincing the winger to sign a renewal. And with eight goals and assists in the first 15 games of the Premier League season, Wilson has been negotiating from a position of authority.
14) Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)
Manchester United and Newcastle United were said to be interested but the Cherries are desperate to sign him up to a new contract, especially given his early-season form.
13) Weston McKennie (Juventus)
A thoroughly-miserable stint at Leeds seemed to make the USA midfielder rather more grateful for what he had at Juve, who are said to be keen on pinning him down to 2028.
12) Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
The 30-year-old has been told that if he stays at Bayern, it will be on reduced wages. Talks are scheduled for the new year, with Juventus waiting on the outcome.
11) Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Same as Gnabry.
10) Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
The Other Timber is sitting out the last year of his contract while Arsenal, Napoli and Dortmund all keep a close eye.
9) Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton)
“I don’t like to plan ahead. I live one day at a time, but I plan everything for the near future. I have a contract with Everton now, I’m happy at this club. In principle, I would like to stay here. Plans…I don’t want to plan anything. I’m at Everton now, I’m in a good mood and the weather is great. Everything is great.”
8) Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
After a stint in Saudi Arabia to set up his family for life, Neves seems keen to get back to Europe. Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been linked with the ex-Wolves midfielder.
7) Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)
Dortmund have come around to the idea of an extension for the 29-year-old – but only if he takes a pay-cut. Which sounds less than enticing. Villa are sniffing.
6) Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Chelsea baulked at his valuation in June but their interest is not over. Nor are Milan’s hopes of a renewal, apparently. If the France keeper is to go free, someone will pick up a bargain.
5) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
“I know exactly what I’m going to do but it’s not the time to focus on it,” said the City skipper in September about the looming prospect of free agency. It feels like this time he really could be away.
4) Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
He was very much available this summer while Juve looked to shift his salary but even with so many striker moves, Vlahovic got stuck in Turin. If he sits tight another six months, Milan will take him as a free-agent.
3) Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
A new deal was said to be imminent in October, but this Liverpool regime have proved to be frankly awful at closing these deals. That said, his form at the start of 25/26 might make them glad they neglected to double his salary. Real Madrid were said to be interested before they went full Homer into the bush once they caught sight of his recent performances.
2) Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
He was apparently told in the medical scanner that his move to Liverpool is off, which means that he will remain at Palace for one more season. The south London club made the decision that one more year of Guehi was worth more than £35m. Now pretty much everybody is interested including Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG. And Liverpool, obvs.
1) Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
He’s rated highly by Vincent Kompany (who knows a few things about being a centre-back) and, back in August, he said: “I am very happy here.” Since then, though, while proving his worth on the pitch, he has reportedly made final, non-negotiable demands of around £270,000-a-week plus more control over his future, which Bayern have branded ‘nonsense’. Upamecano’s agent is feeling empowered by interest from PSG and Real Madrid.