Here are nine Premier League players who are out of contract in 2020 and could be sold on this summer as a result, although there are many more in the same boat.
Ever since the Bosman ruling in 1995, players have been able to leave at the end of their contracts without their old club receiving a fee. It utterly changed football and gave footballers greater freedom and leverage in choosing where they wanted to play, and perhaps inadvertently led to the hyper inflation of wages to its current state within the sport.
Clubs are keen not to lose value on their assets, which is why you see them selling on if a contract is running down and a new deal can’t be agreed. Just last year Arsenal allowed Alexis Sanchez to join Manchester United in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan worth £31m (£34m) with six months left to run on his contract, which turned out to be a masterstroke by the Gunners.
The same club, however, has let one of their best players, Aaron Ramsey, leave the club at the age of 28 for nothing. He will earn roughly £400,000 a week at Juventus, so it’s obvious why certain players are willing to take a risk with free agency rather than have the security of/tie themselves down to a long-term contract.
A bunch of players are in similar situations coming into next season, with just twelve months left on their current deals. For them they have to decide whether they want to stay longer at their current Premier League or try their luck elsewhere. For the clubs they will have to weigh up the cost-benefit of keeping these players for a season or selling them on now while they still can.
The future of some of these players is on a clear path, but for others it is not known what their next move is.
Nine Premier League players who are out of contract in 2020:
Eden Hazard
The Belgian more or less confirmed he was leaving Stamford Bridge following the Europa League final, has not agreed terms with Chelsea over a new contract and, as per The Guardian, a deal has been agreed between his current club and Real Madrid. A matter of when and not if.
Eden Hazard Tribute Vid. Good luck at Real Madrid. https://t.co/3a4pysJDyw
— Max (@BettKMax) June 6, 2019
David De Gea
While the Spaniard’s drop in form this season has been somewhat alarming, the more pressing matter for Manchester United is that De Gea doesn’t really want to sign a new deal, and can you blame him really? Longtime suitors Real Madrid are highly unlikely to come back for him, but PSG are supposedly interested in making a deal happen after Gianluigi Buffon left the French club this week. Whether that happens this summer or they wait until next year to grab him on a free is the question.
PSG are reportedly set to launch a massive bid to bring David De Gea to Paris this summer. ???? pic.twitter.com/0QeN4oAxbP
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 6, 2019
Christian Eriksen
If the Dane was to move on from Spurs this summer it would be a huge loss to the Champions League finalists, but it seems they are prepared for his exit having been linked with the impressive Giovani Lo Celso of Real Betis. Eriksen himself more or less said this week that he would like to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, and a £40m plus deal could help the London outfit afford to make other transfers.
BREAKING: @SpursOfficial midfielder Christian Eriksen has confirmed he is looking for a new challenge in football and is open to leaving the club this summer.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 5, 2019
Toby Alderweireld
Spurs activated a clause at the beginning of the year in the Belgian’s contract that keeps him at the club until 2020, but by doing so they also activated a buyout clause set at £25m. Unless the 30-year-old signs a new deal, then Tottenham are essentially paying an extra £500,000 onto what his salary costs the club if they keep him, so cashing out would be the smart thing to do. Man United, Barcelona and Juventus are all interested, although he recently said: “Next year we want to be here (Champions League) again.” A hint that he’s staying?
Ilkay Gundogan
The German midfielder is a superb player who can function in a number of different roles, but he has suffered with injuries over the years. Gundogan turns 29 later this year, so his peak years are behind him, meaning there might not be too many suitors willing to front up any money for him. My guess is, he will play out this year at Manchester City and leave when his contract runs out at the end of next season.
No one for @ManCity took more shots from outside the box than İlkay Gündoğan
So interesting stats in here. pic.twitter.com/YPvP9srIq4
— Football Whispers (@FB_WHISPERS) June 4, 2019
Ryan Sessegnon
Heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur for the past two years, Ryan Sessegnon had a decent season considering Fulham were terrible for almost all of it. The wide forward provided two goals and six assists in 35 appearances for the Cottagers, although it wasn’t nearly enough to keep them up. It seems likely the 19-year-old will move on from the Championship club this summer while the south London side can still command a fee for him. Liverpool and Man United have shown interest for him as well as Spurs.
Ryan Sessegnon’s preference is to remain in London and join Tottenham Hotspur this summer according to @BBCSport_David
The player is also believed to be excited at the prospect of working under Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
[@5LiveSport]#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/CcppFDKgTu
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) May 14, 2019
Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian signed an extension last December that keeps him at Spurs until 2020, but will he be at the club beyond that? Vertonghen has been a key asset for Mauricio Pochettino, as he can play in a back-four or three as well as being able to cover at full-back, but at 32 years of age he isn’t in the long-term plan for the club. He will likely either sign another one-year extension or leave next summer.
Absolutely gutted today but proud of how far we’ve come. Thank you so much to all the fans ???? #COYS pic.twitter.com/9gBvQgz9cr
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) June 2, 2019
Ryan Fraser
The Scottish attacker has had a truly brilliant campaign for Bournemouth, providing seven goals and 14 assists this past season. Fraser has been linked with both Arsenal and Spurs and could be phenomenal at a bigger club. While Eddie Howe will be resistant to losing one of his star players, the Cherries will have to consider a sale if they don’t want to run the risk of losing the 25-year-old for free next summer.
https://twitter.com/HorsesMouthUK/status/1133335554932789250
Adam Lallana
Somehow, Adam Lallana is now 31-years-old. The former Southampton player’s career has zipped by, but without making the kind of impact once envisaged, unfortunately for him. The Englishman has struggled with injuries, making just 32 appearances in the past two seasons. Southampton are reportedly interested in bringing him back, but he told the Press Association he wants to stay at Anfield: “No question my future is here and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
Adam Lallana has featured in more Champions League finals than Manchester City. pic.twitter.com/ngGTWUbQjY
— Hardik Nagar (@hardikreds17) May 31, 2019
