Football, a game that is behind the rags to riches story of so many players, is much more than just a game. To many, it is a universe where so many stars are born every year and at the same time, so many stars fall. Let's take a look at some of such stars who are just months away from becoming free agents.
Name: Edinson Cavani
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Market Value: 25m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30, 2020
The Uruguay international, Edinson Cavani is one of the most lethal goal-machines across leagues and is going to become a free agent in the summer. The 32-year-old has made just 13 appearances in Ligue 1 and Champions League combined, and out of which nine were from the bench. He has scored four goals, three in the league and one in the UCL.
With the signing of Mauro Icardi, it is evident that game-time is bound to dry out. Paris Saint-Germain are looking to get as much as they can for the forward who is definitely not out of touch. Atletico Madrid, one of the possible destinations, saw their 8 million euro bid declined by the club, but they still remain clear favourites to land the player.
Player: Olivier Giroud
Team: Chelsea FC
Market value: 9m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30, 2020
Contrary to Cavani, Giroud is set to face a more uncertain future after his contract expires this summer. The 2018 World Cup winner has featured only five times under Frank Lampard and is yet to score.
Before the closing of the winter transfer window, the likes of Iner, Lazio and even Tottenham showed interest, but Chelsea decided not to do any business until the end of the season. Another club likely to sign the 33-year-old Frenchman are Lyon as per the recent speculations. It is to be seen which club he decides to join in the summer.
Player: Pedro
Team: Chelsea FC
Market Value: 17m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30th, 2020
Another World Cup winner from Chelsea’s squad is on the verge of becoming a free agent in the summer.
Pedro joined the Blues after a tug of war between Chelsea and Manchester United back in 2015. Fast forward five years and Pedro has played just six Premier League games and has failed to score a single goal.
According to the speculation, Pedro might follow the footprints of his former team-mates to Vissel Kobe in Japan. But Roma are also considering including the versatile winger in their team. Considering Italy becoming the new destination for the Premier League players, it is highly probable that Pedro moves to Roma. But we will have to wait till the summer for the confirmation.
Player: Mario Gotze
Team: Borussia Dortmund
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30th, 2020
It has been a whirlwind of a career for Mario Gotze. Since his once in a lifetime goal for Germany in 2014 World Cup final, Gotze has moved from Dortmund to arch-rivals Bayern Munich and back to Dortmund, diagnosed with a possible career-ending physical condition. So, it was just a matter of time before he fell from grace. After scoring thrice in 12 appearances in Bundesliga, the 27-year-old German playmaker is going to become a free agent in the summer.
Given his quality, he will not be short of suitors and recently he has hinted a reunion with Jurgen Klopp. "I often speak to Klopp. We never stopped talking."He knows me very well and that I am always looking for new challenges”, the German said. With Lallana also nearing a free transfer, a reunion cannot be ruled out.
Player: Willian
Team: Chelsea
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30, 2020
Willian has been one of the most dependable players at Stamford Bridge since his move in 2013. He has 32 goals and 36 assists to his name in the Premier League, but the fact remains that he will turn 32 in August and is less likely to be a part of Frank Lampard's plans in future.
Willian has a decent amount of game time under his belt this season with 24 appearances. His four goals and four assists have made sure that he is still a good enough player for any team. Recently Barcelona expressed their "long-term" admiration for the two-time PL winner, and they might just get him for free in the summer.
Player: Dries Mertens
Team: Napoli
Market Value: 25m Euros
Free Agent On: June 30, 2020
The Belgian star is one of the primary reasons Napoli rose to fame in recent years. His sleek and effective movement in the final third has earned him a lot of suitors in recent times. After 7 long years with the Italian giants, Mertens is going to become a free agent this June.
Chelsea are on the queue to sign the 32-year-old as Lampard looks to bring in experience amongst his otherwise all-youth attack. If Mertens can adjust to the English game remains a mystery that would be solved if he chooses to turn Blue this summer.
Player: Jose Callejon
Team: Napoli
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent On: June 30, 2020
Another cornerstone to the rise of Napoli is the Real Madrid Castilla graduate Jose Callejon. The right-winger joined Napoli in 2013 and has been an integral part of the club since. He has started 22 games this season and has scored two goals while assisting six.
Although no club has expressed their will to sign the midfielder as of now, it is just a matter of time when someone comes up to swoop the deal.
Player: Blaise Matuidi
Team: Juventus
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent On: June 30, 2020
If one has to name a player who has always been out of the spotlight throughout the career, Blaise Matuidi is surely going to be one of the names. The Frenchman is a World Cup winner and has spent his entire career pulling strings from deep inside the midfield. Technically gifted and physically threatening, the 32-year-old is now at Juventus and has featured in 20 games.
Matuidi has always remained a target for many PL clubs and in 2017, Jose Mourinho expressed his will to sign Matuidi to Manchester United. Now that his contract is going to expire in summer, it is to be seen if any English club grabs the opportunity to swoop in on him.
Player: Layvin Kurzawa
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Market Value: 15m Euros
Free Agent On: June 30, 2020
Another French on the list. Layvin Kurzawa is one of the best in his position but his future at Paris looks to be in jeopardy as Thomas Tuchel has expressed his interest in Juventus full-back Mattia De Sciglio.
Kurzawa has appeared 14 times for PSG, scoring one and assisting one. His contract expires in summer and along with Juventus, Arsenal is also interested in the 27-year-old.
Player: Thomas Meunier
Team: Paris Saint Germain
Market Value: 30m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30, 2020
The Belgian right-back was one of the hottest properties in Europe even a couple of seasons back. He has featured in 16 games for PSG this season and has lodged an assist. He had ruled out the chances of a winter transfer saying "I have the impression when transfers are done in January that they are not thought out but rather a question of necessity."
Amidst talks linking him to England and more precisely to the Emirates and Old Trafford, he is still hopeful of contract renewal to stay in Paris.
Player: Jan Vertonghen
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent on: June 30, 2020
The 32-year-old Belgian international has been one of the most prominent figures for Spurs since his move from Ajax. Although Tottenham have expressed their interest in Jack O'Connell, Jan Vertonghen refuses to rule out the chances of another contract renewal.
In the twilight of his career, the Belgian will be a free agent in the summer.
Player: Giacomo Bonaventura
Team: AC Milan
Market Value: 18m Euros
Free Agent On: June 30, 2020
AC Milan are yet to find their mojo since falling from grace in this century. The Italian giants are not even a shadow of their former self at the moment and would require a complete overhaul if they wish to become anything close to competing for glory. Giacomo Bonaventura has been one of the binding figures of the club and has featured regularly for the Rossoneri.
Bonaventura have been having little influence on the game lately and Milan do not look very eager to give him another contract this summer. Having appeared 15 times, the 30-year-old Italian has scored twice but has not created a single goal from the midfield. His destination in summer is still a matter of uncertainty.
Note: Market value taken from Transfermarkt
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Franck Fife
