The centre-back market looks set to be one of the most interesting of next summer’s transfer window. A number of big defensive names are out of contract, which will lead to a scramble for central defenders in bargain deals.
We’ve profiled five top centre-backs who are set to become free agents in 2026.
Five top centre-backs whose contracts are expiring in 2026
Marc Guehi
The race to sign Marc Guehi is heating up. Guehi saw a £35m deadline day move to Liverpool collapse in the summer, after Crystal Palace failed to sign a suitable replacement in time.
Liverpool remain interested in signing the 25-year-old, amid uncertainty surrounding their centre-back options, but the Premier League champions will face strong competition.
Marc Guehi hasn’t dropped below a 7.5 match rating in any of his last 10 matches 👏
A true captain 🫶 pic.twitter.com/CwZd34bPHr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2025
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all tracking Guehi, who has established himself as an England regular. An excellent reader of the game and with experience as a leader for club and country, it will be a competitive race to sign Guehi as a free agent.
Ibrahima Konate
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Guehi has increased as uncertainty surrounds Ibrahima Konate.
The 26-year-old was a key part of Liverpool’s title success last season, but there has been no progress on a potential new deal.
“There have been reports Konate has rejected a new contract,” journalist David Ornstein told NBC Sports.
“I don’t think it’s so much a rejection, maybe more of a stalemate or a lack of an agreement basically. I’m told talks are active and ongoing, but nothing is close just yet. Suggestions he’s on £70,000 per week, I’m told it is more than double that.
“So, he would want a really good contract, deservedly, you could say, going into the bracket of earners, but that’s something they need to sort out.”
Dayot Upamecano
Konate’s international teammate, Dayot Upamecano, is also approaching free agency. Bayern Munich are desperate to keep the defender but are at risk of losing the 27-year-old on a free.
Upamecano has won three Bundesliga titles at Bayern and has been included in the Bundesliga’s Team of the Season on three occasions.
🚨 Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich in January.
The German club are interested in cashing in on the defender before he can potentially leave as a free agent next summer.
(Source: @MARCA) pic.twitter.com/0OZe9W9M5X
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 11, 2025
He has also largely nailed down an automatic role with France, despite an abundance of defensive competition. Should he decide on a new challenge this summer, he will not be short of suitors.
Antonio Rudiger
Having been a bedrock in Real Madrid’s modern success, Antonio Rudiger’s future is up in the air. Injuries have impacted the Germany international of late, who has made just one La Liga appearance in 2025/26 due to a hamstring injury.
Real Madrid have suffered regularly with defensive absences across the last two seasons and perhaps consider Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen as the long-term pair in central defence. Rudiger will turn 33 in March but still has plenty in the tank for a side seeking experience and presence.
Marcos Senesi
Bournemouth fans feared the worst after a summer of departures, with Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez leaving to decimate their backline.
Marcos Senesi has stepped up impressively since, with the Argentine excellent as the Cherries have exceeded expectations in the Premier League.
Marcos Senesi has played the most forward passes (215) in the Premier League this season.🎯 pic.twitter.com/TxierAWzxY
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 8, 2025
The 28-year-old ranks among the Premier League’s top 10 players for progressive passes (10th), interceptions (4th), clearances (2nd), and progressive carrying distance (7th), while recording two assists. Bournemouth will want to address his future quickly.
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