From Salah to Neymar: The 15 most expensive stars on expiring contracts

Updated: 6 Sept 2024 09:00 BST
4 min read

Mohamed Salah, Neymar, free agents 2025 — © IMAGO

The market for free agents in 2025 promises to be a big one in the football transfer world.

After Kylian Mbappe completed a blockbuster switch from PSG to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 in one of the biggest such deals ever, there are a host of stars who could hit the headlines next term by leaving their current employers on a free transfer.

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Already, there is speculation over the future of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who have lit up the Premier League in recent seasons.

Here are all the prospective free agents with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) over €19 million.

Who are the best free agents in 2025?

Mario Pasalic (Atalanta) – ETV €19.1m

A long-term member of the Atalanta squad that has continually defied the odds to challenge the best in Serie A and Europe.

Neymar (Al-Hilal) – ETV €19.4m

Once the most expensive player in the game, doubt lies over his future due to a long-term knee injury.

Sean Longstaff (Newcastle) – ETV €21.2m

The 26-year-old has, aside from a couple of loans, been a one-club man in his career, making close to 200 appearances for the Magpies.

Denzel Dumfries (Inter) – ETV €21.2m

Flying full-back has been linked with Manchester United in the past and appears ripe for a Premier League move.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – ETV €21.8m

Liverpool’s captain is into the last year of his deal at Anfield. His future could hinge on his relationship with Arne Slot, which appears to have started positively.

Ilkay Gundogan (Man City) – ETV €23.2m

Back at Manchester City after one year at Barcelona, it’s unclear what the next step for the Germany star might be.

Heung-min Son (Tottenham) – ETV €27.6m

A bona-fide legend at Tottenham. Could he leave to chase titles? It would be a huge blow for Spurs if this were the case.

Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) – ETV €28m

A centre-back much coveted during the transfer window just shut, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona eager to sign him.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – ETV €29.8m

One of the greatest Premier League goal scorers of all time, he is rumoured to be attracting a big-money bid from the Saudi Pro League.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€22.4M - €37.3M

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – ETV €30.2m

It seems unthinkable that ‘TAA’ could leave Anfield, yet into the last year of his contract, anything could happen.

Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – ETV €37.2m

A Premier League icon, he is another wanted by Saudi.

Jonathan David (Lille) – ETV €40.4m

Had been expected to join a Premier League club this summer, but after no offer was forthcoming, the Canada star’s future is in limbo.

Alfonso Davies (Bayern Munich) – ETV €40.5m

One of the most exciting full-backs in the modern game, Bayern can ill-afford to lose the Canada star but negotiations are set to be fraught.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) – ETV €47.8m

Bayern are in grave danger of losing the versatile Kimmich, with Barcelona and Premier League clubs alert to his potential availability.

Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) – ETV €56.2m

The former Manchester City star is the most expensive player who is set to become a free agent next summer, according to FootballTransfers’ algorithm.

Other big-name free agents

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo are both out of contract next year, yet due to their advancing years, neither makes this elite group of players any longer.

Messi’s ETV is €14.5m, while Ronaldo is worth €8.4m in the Saudi Pro League.

Leo is the likelier of the pair to move on, with the World Cup winner having previously indicated that he would like to turn out for Newell’s Old Boys at some stage.