Five stars on expiring contracts who could leave in January

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 31 Oct 2023 06:54 GMT
3 min read

Eric Dier, Tottenham, 2023/24 — © ProShots

We are now just over two months away from the opening of the January transfer window.

In addition to allowing European teams to sign players once again for a whole month, January will also allow players on expiring deals to begin negotiations with other clubs.

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Players whose contracts expire at the end of the 2023-24 season will be able to discuss and sign a pre-contract with a new club before joining on a free transfer on July 1.

With clubs risking losing players on a free transfer, many teams will consider selling in January for a cut-price. Below are five possibilities.

Eric Dier (Tottenham)

Eric Dier has an excellent chance of leaving Tottenham in the January transfer market, having become an outcast at the club. Dier has not played a single minute of football this season under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian has made it clear Dier does not fit in his plans. The 29-year-old needs a move if he is to have any chance of going to Euro 2024. There is interest in Serie A from his former Spurs coach Jose Mourinho, whose Roma team are in the market for a centre back.

Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Nico Williams has been in discussions with Athletic over a new contract that would see a €50 million clause put in his deal. So far, however, the two parties have struggled to agree on terms.

If a new deal isn’t signed, there is a very strong chance that the winger will leave in January to avoid Athletic losing the 21-year-old for free in the summer. If he does sign a new contract, then a transfer at the end of the season is likely. A host of top European clubs are interested, including Manchester United.

Stefano Sensi (Inter)

When fit, Stefano Sensi remains one of the most talents central midfielders in all of Serie A. The problem is, he is rarely fit. This season, the injury problems have continued, He has missed six matches with muscular problems and played just eight minutes of football.

Inter are well-stocked at centre midfield and even brought in Davy Klaassen as an extra backup. Inter will be open to letting Sensi go in January again, six months before his contract expires.

Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)

Thiago Alcantara has not played a minute of football this season, due to ongoing injury issues. There was strong interest in the Spaniard this past summer from Spanish and Saudi Arabian clubs, but the midfielder opted to see out the final year of his contract at Anfield.

It still seems likely Thiago will wait and leave on a Bosman transfer at the end of the season. However, if Spanish and Saudi clubs return in January, it is possible he could depart a touch earlier for a small fee.

Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

It is highly unlikely that Mbappe will leave PSG in January for two main reasons. First of all, PSG are still dreaming of winning the Champions League and know they have no chance without the best player in the world. Secondly, Mbappe is widely acknowledged to have already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in July, allowing him a big signing-on fee.

Nevertheless, PSG could yet still attempt to push out Mbappe in January - just as they unsuccessfully did in the summer when the attacker made it clear he would not renew with the Ligue 1 side.