Mbappe a free agent, Haaland eligible – The transfer status of every Ballon d’Or nominee

Stefan Bienkowski

Updated: 12 Oct 2021 09:38 CDT
4 min read

Erling Haaland has 49 goals in 49 appearances for Borussia Dortmund — © ProShots

The Ballon d’Or 2021 is the world’s most prestigious individual football award of the year, with 30 of the world’s best players selected to potentially claim the honour of being named the greatest in the world.

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While some such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have already moved this year others are well settled at their clubs.

Which of these elite 30 players could soon be on the move and who is going nowhere?

Going nowhere

Leonardo Bonucci – Under contract until 2024, the centre-back recently signed a new deal with Juventus and is unlikely to play for another club.

Giorgio Chiellini – Like Bonucci, Chiellini is not about to leave Juventus. A stalwart of the club since 2005.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Back at Man Utd after leaving in 2009 and is thriving back in the Old Trafford spotlight.

Kevin De Bruyne – Signed a long-term deal in the summer and won’t be leaving Man City any time soon.

Ruben Dias – Has excelled at Man City since joining in 2020.

Bruno Fernandes – Poised to sign a new Man Utd deal and is one of their outstanding players.

Phil Foden – A product of Man City’s academy, Foden just seems to be getting started at the Etihad.

Jorginho – Might have been on his way out of Chelsea before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, who has given him a key role.

N'Golo Kante – Already a Chelsea legend, Kante is one of the most tireless players in the world game.

Simon Kjaer – Ready to sign a new contract with Milan, where he has excelled since a move from Sevilla.

Romelu Lukaku – Just back at Chelsea and banging in the goals. Already indispensable.

Lionel Messi – Starting to settle at PSG after a summer move from Barcelona.

Luka Modric – The veteran Real Madrid midfielder is part of the furniture at the Bernabeu.

Mason Mount – The academy product is a favourite at Stamford Bridge.

Neymar - Signed a new deal with PSG in the summer.

Pedri – In a miserable period for Barcelona, the midfielder is a source of genuine hope.

Luis Suarez – After being dumped by Barca, is resurgent at Atletico Madrid.

Future uncertain

Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea are looking for a right-sided centre-back and he could be the man to suffer. May have enough credit to survive in the shot- to medium-term.

Karim Benzema – If Erling Haaland joins Madrid next summer, the in-form striker will have to consider his options.

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Reportedly unhappy with being rotated with Keylor Navas at PSG. This is a battle he is likely to win.

Harry Kane – Wants to leave and would have joined Man City in the summer if he had his way but long-term contract meant Spurs won the battle of wills. Not a saga that is resolved, however.

Robert Lewandowski – Out of contract in 2023 and is reportedly seeking a new challenge. With Bayern ruling out a move for Haaland, a move is less likely.

Riyad Mahrez – If Mahrez wants a regular start in the league, he will have to leave Man City, where he is a big-part figure.

Gerard Moreno – Outstanding for Villarreal, if a big gun comes calling, he may have to take his chance.

Mohamed Salah – Contract talks with Liverpool are unresolved and PSG reportedly eyeing him as a replacement for Mbappe.

On the move

Nicolo Barella – Inter’s financial position is such that they are likely to have to sell on more star players. Midfielder Barella could be one to go.

Erling Haaland – A release clause in his Borussia Dortmund deal comes into force next summer. Every major side in Europe is chasing him and a move will be hard to resist.