Nine big-name players out of contract next summer from Harry Kane to Bruno Fernandes and two Liverpool stars

The summer transfer window may have just closed, but that does not stop the rumour mill churning.

One of the big talking points at the end of every season is the high-profile names who are out of contract and therefore have freedom of choice over their next destination.

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This summer we have seen the likes of Bernardo Silva join Real Madrid and John Stones head to Inter Milan. Meanwhile, people like Jadon Sancho are still without a club.

Those who are available in July 2027 for nothing will already be on the radar of clubs around Europe and beyond.

From January, those players can enter negotiations with clubs outside their current league and sign pre-contract agreements, should they wish to.

And there are some superstars who, currently, have their contracts expiring next summer.

talkSPORT.com has taken a look at the nine biggest names with less than a year left on their deals.

Harry Kane

The England captain is, as things stand, going to become a free agent next summer.

If this were to come to pass then it would create pandemonium around Europe. He is arguably the best player in the world right now and a favourite for the Ballon d’Or.

In all likelihood, the 33-year-old will sign a new contract extension with Bayern Munich, talks have started.

But if those break down then it could put plenty of teams on high alert. One sticking point appears to be the length of the deal.

Kane said: “The first meeting was this week. But such matters are not settled in a week or two. There will be many other discussions about the details.”

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Asked about the contract clauses, the England captain added: “I won’t talk about the details here.”

Things are going well, so everything is fine so far. We will continue the dialogue in the coming weeks and see what happens.”

Kane added: “There are many factors that affect a contract like this: I am 33 years old, so this may not be my last contract, but it is certainly an important contract for me. I need to be happy, and the club also needs to be happy.

“The good thing is that both parties are not worried. At the moment, they are just open discussions, as is the case with any contract in my career.”

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes remains Manchester United’s best player and has been for some time.

The 31-year-old is at the peak of his powers and showed that with a hat-trick against Ipswich on Sunday.

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United were prepared to sell him last summer when Al Nassr came in with an £80m bid. Ruben Amorim was said to have blocked his exit.

The Red Devils are keen to get Fernandes to sign a contract extension to make him the best paid player at the club.

He currently earns around £300,000-a-week, but that could increase by another £50,000.

The reigning PFA Player of the Year has also been named Manchester United’s best player in five of his seven seasons at the club.

Lisandro Martinez

World Cup winner Martinez is facing a fight to save his Manchester United career.

As reported in the talkSPORT Notebook, sources have confirmed the club are ready to take up the extra year’s option in Martinez’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.

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However, there is a feeling inside the corridors of power at Carrington that the Argentine needs to prove his ability to stay fit or be sold next summer.

Since joining United from Ajax four years ago, Martinez – affectionately known as ‘The Butcher’ by fans – has missed almost 80 Premier League games due to various injuries. He also turns 29 in January. 

If United decide against activating that extra year option, however unlikely, then the 28-year-old would be free to walk away.

Christian Pulisic

USMNT star Pulisic is entering the final 12 months of his contract with AC Milan, who do still hold an option of extending that for another year.

Reports emerged earlier this summer that Major League Soccer (MLS) club New York City FC were looking to make a move for the forward, offering a salary of $11.3 million per season over a five-year contract. 

AC Milan were not entertaining the idea of selling him this summer, but his future is sure to be a hot topic of discussion come July.

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Brahim Diaz

The 27-year-old is now in the final 12 months of his contract at Real Madrid.

There has long been talk over negotiations to extend his deal until 2030, but as yet there has been no sign of an official announcement.

Should these talks break down or not happen, then he would be available on a free transfer next summer.

The Morocco World Cup star has started one game this season for Madrid, but will find increasing competition for a place following the signing of Yan Diomande.

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Alisson

Liverpool triggered Alisson Becker’s one-year contract extension last season to keep him at the club until 2027.

The likelihood is the 33-year-old will leave Anfield after an illustrious nine seasons, where he has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Liverpool already have Giorgi Mamardashvili as his back-up and recently signed 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans from Genk, where he has returned on loan for the 2026/27 campaign.

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Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk is another Liverpool stalwart expected to end his time at Anfield at the end of the season.

He penned a two-year extension in April 2025, taking him until the summer of 2027.

There are no signs that it will be increased further for the 35-year-old club captain.

Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are expected to be his long-term replacements.

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Kaoru Mitoma

The 29-year-old has been a revelation in the Premier League since joining Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021.

The Japan star was denied a trip to the World Cup this summer after suffering a hamstring injury during a Premier League game in May.

His contract will expire at the end of the season, with the dynamic winger expected to be hugely in demand should he be available on a free transfer.

Tyrick Mitchell

Mitchell has been the model of consistency at Crystal Palace over a number of seasons, flourishing under Oliver Glasner.

He helped Palace win the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Conference League.

The 27-year-old has perhaps been unlucky to be constantly overlooked for a place in the England squad.

The Palace academy graduate has played 246 times since making his debut in the 2019/20 campaign.

There will likely be plenty of interest should he not extend his stay at Selhurst Park beyond the end of the season.

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