There are some high profile players due to be out of contract at the end of the season, meaning they can start negotiating a FREE transfer to a foreign club now.
The six-month rule only applies if a player wants to join a different league. For example, Premier League players can only enter into talks with interested parties outside of England. The same rules pertain to to those in Italy, Germany and Spain.
Here are some big names who could leave their respective club on a free transfer.
Kylian Mbappe – PSG
One of the biggest names in world football could walk away from the French giants on a free this summer. With the Euros on the horizon, Kylian Mbappe will be keen to have no transfer distractions heading into the tournament.
Real Madrid have always kept tabs on Mbappe, and would jump at the chance of luring him to the Spanish capital. In August last year, Sky Sports reported that Mbappe was in contract talks with Paris Saint-Germain and will not leave club for free next summer. Nothing has changed since then, and as it stands, he will be a free agent in June.
PSG will need to act fast to try to persuade him to stay in Paris because he is a wanted man all around the world.
Adrien Rabiot – Juventus
Adrien Rabiot has been at Juventus since 2019, but his contacts runs out this summer. The French midfielder is 28, but will be 29 by the time the season ends. There is a chance a Premier League team could acquire him for nothing and, if he impresses at Euro 2024, he could have his pick of the bunch. The experienced midfielder has played at the highest level and could be a quality addition.
If Juventus move fast, they can tie down Rabiot to a new contract, but as he enters arguably his peak years, he may have ambitions to play elsewhere. Juve signed Rabiot from Paris Saint Germain in similar circumstances, for free, in 2019
Jorginho – Arsenal
The former Champions League winner has not featured for Mikel Arerta’s side since mid December and has not played 90 minutes of football since mid November. The Italian, a £12million signing from Chelsea in last January’s window, is out of contract in the summer, when he will be 32.
It remains to be seen as to whether manager Mikel Arteta will try to persuade the Italy international to sign an extension, or if the player wants to stay with chances limited. Either way, he has shown he still has the quality to perform at the highest level when he has had the opportunity to feature..
Anthony Martial – Manchester United
It does seem like Anthony Martial’s time at Old Trafford is up. From his magical debut goal against Liverpool at the Stretford End, to the FA Cup Semi-Final winning goal against Everton at Wembley – Martial has given United fans some happy memories. But, in the grand scheme of things, he has not scored consistently it might be best for both parties to move on. He may be better equipped to ply his trade elsewhere.
The 28 year old joined Manchester United for €60m in 2015 and in his time in Manchester has scored 63 goals in 209 appearances. Across his eight and a half years at United, he has never truly shown the promise that he came with. The expectation was great, and for a 19-year old kid at the time. It was a lot of pressure.
Martial would perhaps be better suited playing at a club where he is the number one striker. He has the talent to perform and is still at a reasonable stage of his career to salvage some credibility. It seems his United career is going to go out with a whimper, but he could still have a promising future head of him.
