The arrival of the January transfer window permits teams to approach upcoming free agents, with pre-contracts allowed to be agreed for those whose deals expire at the end of the current campaign.
There is no shortage of names who are fast approaching the end of their current deals, with the Bundesliga home to several stars who will attract significant Premier League interest as free agency approaches.
Here are five Bundesliga stars who are available on a free transfer next summer.
Marcus Thuram
Borussia Monchengladbach face a fight to convince Marcus Thuram to remain at the club, with the forward on the radar of several top clubs as he enters the final six months of his deal.
Thuram – the son of France great, Lilian – has been in spectacular form this season with 13 goals in 17 appearances for Gladbach across all competitions. He trails only Christopher Nkunku for goals in the Bundesliga in 2022/23, while only Jamal Musiala and Randal Kolo Muani have been directly involved in more goals.
???? Only Christopher Nkunku (9) has scored more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities than Marcus Thuram (7) in the Bundesliga this season pic.twitter.com/SfgjnO84Z0
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 24, 2022
The 25-year-old leads the Bundesliga for shots, shots on target, xG, xG/90, and Non-Penalty xG, with Thuram having been at the centre of Gladbach’s forward threat so far this season. Manchester United and Newcastle have been linked with the forward, who can feature through the centre or from a role wide on the left, but could face competition from clubs including Inter Milan.
Thuram’s form this season saw him included in the France squad for the 2022 World Cup and he formed part of the team that finished as runners-up in Qatar, appearing five times as a substitute during the finals. He has won nine caps for Les Bleus since his international debut in 2020.
Evan N’Dicka
Evan N’Dicka could take the next step in his career after five seasons at Eintracht Frankfurt, with a host of Premier League clubs circling for the talented centre-back.
N’Dicka made his debut for Auxerre aged 17 before a move to Frankfurt 18 months later, where has since embarked on an upward curve of development at The Waldstadion. The 23-year-old was named in EA Sports’ Bundesliga Team of the Season for the 2021/22 campaign, having had a key role in Frankfurt’s success in Europe.
The Frenchman was a pivotal presence in Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph, as the Germans beat Barcelona, West Ham and Rangers in the knockout rounds to win Europe’s secondary competition for a second time.
Mobile left-footed centre-backs are at a premium in the current market and N’Dicka’s availability on a free will pique the interest of top clubs, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham linked with the sought-after defender.
This season he has enhanced his reputation with another solid campaign, ranking among the division’s leaders for blocks and topping the Bundesliga rankings for clearances.
Konrad Laimer
Konrad Laimer is expected to leave RB Leipzig at the end of his contract next summer and take up a new challenge after several seasons at the Red Bull Arena.
The midfielder has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in past windows, with Ralf Rangnick understood to have recommended the Austria international to the former during his time as interim manager.
A relentless runner with dynamism and drive, Laimer also fits the bill for what is required at Liverpool as the Reds look to overhaul their midfield next summer. Jurgen Klopp’s famed intensity has somewhat dropped this season and Laimer has the legs and energy to provide spark back into the club’s engine room.
The 25-year-old turned down interest from Anfield late last summer, while Chelsea have also been credited as admirers. However, Bayern Munich are favourites to sign Laimer next summer and the midfielder could follow former teammates Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer to Bavaria.
He has been unable to make an impact this season due to ankle issues, but remains an attractive option for top clubs in search of a bargain.
Daichi Kamada
The second Eintracht Frankfurt star to feature on this list, the Bundesliga side face the prospect of losing two key figures for nothing this summer.
Daichi Kamada’s situation has alerted leading clubs across Europe with the Japan international having been in sparkling form for Frankfurt this season. Kamada scored in consecutive Champions League games against Tottenham, Marseille and Sporting Lisbon earlier in the campaign, a contribution which saw Frankfurt reach the last 16.
The 26-year-old has been in similarly excellent form domestically, having posted a return of seven goals and three assists in just ten Bundesliga starts this season.
???????? Close control ✅ Creativity ✅ Goals ✅.
The best of @Eintracht_ENG's Daichi Kamada. pic.twitter.com/P2R8EBOiBR
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 8, 2022
Comfortable in a number of positions, he has operated predominantly as an attacking midfielder this season but has also occupied a role from the left on occasion.
Technical, versatile and with goal threat, Kamada’s attributes are attractive to potential suitors and his performances in recent European campaigns against the likes of Arsenal and West Ham have ensured he will be at the forefront of transfer plans for English clubs.
He trails only Randal Kolo Muani for goal-creating actions and goal-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga in 2022/23.
Youssoufa Moukoko
Youssoufa Moukoko is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in world football and could be available for free next summer.
Moukoko is fast approaching the end of his deal at Borussia Dortmund and a long list of clubs are queuing up to secure his services. The teenager rose to prominence after scoring 141 goals in just 88 games for Dortmund’s u-17 and u-19 sides, before breaking into the senior team and setting numerous records.
“I think he’s the biggest talent in the world right now. 16 years and one day, that’s quite amazing. He has a big career ahead of him,” former teammate Erling Haaland told ESPN after Moukoko made his Dortmund debut in 2020.
Quick reminder: Moukoko is only 17 years old ⭐️????
???? @Bundesliga_EN pic.twitter.com/4rQgUVsPq4
— 433 (@433) November 8, 2022
He became the youngest player and goalscorer in Bundesliga history aged just 16 and has since scored 11 goals in 59 appearances for Dortmund. Already a senior international, Moukoko became the youngest debutant for Germany since 1954 earlier this year and the nation’s youngest World Cup player after appearing in Qatar.
Brimming with potential, Chelsea and Liverpool are tracking the Cameroon-born starlet ahead of a move, while Barcelona are said to be chasing a deal as the cash-strapped Catalans look for a bargain buy and long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
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