Sunday 11 January 2015 16:04, UK
Top players across Europe whose contracts expire this summer could be a January transfer window bargain – or free signing in a few months' time.
We've selected some of the top talent with just six months left on their contract for our Free Superstar XI. Who would you like to see sign for your club? Let us know by tweeting @SkyFootball with #freesuperstarXI
Fernando Pacheco
POSITION: Goalkeeper
AGE: 22
CLUB: Real Madrid
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
The Real Madrid reserve goalkeeper is one of the lesser-known names in the line-up. The 22-year-old has kept clean sheets in both first-team starts for Los Blancos and has racked up over 40 appearances for Real Madrid B and represented Spain at U19, U20 and U21 levels.
John Terry
POSITION: Centre-back
AGE: 34
CLUB: Chelsea
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Terry has scored a goal or created an assist every 10 games on average during his career. The 34-year-old centre-back offers a wealth of experience and his retirement from international duty may prolong a decorated career. However, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has claimed Terry’s contract extension is a “formality”.
Kolo Toure
POSITION: Centre-back
AGE: 33
CLUB: Liverpool
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Liverpool and Ivory Coast centre-back Toure could be a January transfer steal if Liverpool fail to extend his current contract. At 33, the former Arsenal defender still has years of service in the tank, which earned his starting place in the Free Superstar XI ahead of Rio Ferdinand (35) and Wes Brown (35).
Dani Alves
POSITION: Right-back
AGE: 31
CLUB: Barcelona
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Considered an integral member of Barcelona and the Brazil national team, Dani Alves is one of the most decorated right-backs in the world. At just 31, Alves is far from finished and has reportedly expressed a desire to play in the Premier League.
Maxwell
POSITION: Left-back
AGE: 33
CLUB: PSG
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Maxwell is the second Brazilian defender to make the starting XI. Besides playing in the French Ligue 1, the 33-year-old Paris Saint-Germain left-back has also played in La Liga (Barcelona), Serie A (Inter) and the Eresdivise (Ajax) – so a Premier League bow could be on the cards.
Steven Gerrard
POSITION: Central midfield
AGE: 34
CLUB: Liverpool
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Liverpool's – and possibly England's – best player over the last decade, Gerrard has announced he will leave Anfield at the end of the season. After retiring from international duty following a dismal 2014 World Cup, the Reds captain will seek a fresh challenge for his curtain call. The midfield talisman has an impressive goalscoring ratio with 180 goals and 100 assists in 695 appearances for his club.
Mikel Arteta
POSITION: Defensive midfielder
AGE: 32
CLUB: Arsenal
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Arsenal defensive midfielder Arteta could be on the move as his current contract is set to expire in summer 2015, despite inheriting the captain's armband in August after Thomas Vermaelen moved to Barcelona. The 32-year-old anchorman has also played in the Scottish Premiership (Rangers), La Liga (Real Sociedad) and Ligue 1 (PSG).
Sami Khedira
POSITION: Central midfield
AGE:27
CLUB: Real Madrid
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Real Madrid and Germany defensive midfielder Khedira could be January's top bargain – if he can put an injury-plagued season behind him. The 27-year-old has expressed a desire to stay at the Bernabeu but is out of contract in June 2015 and Madrid are said to be lining up Brazilian youngster Lucas Silva as his replacement.
Jose Antonio Reyes
POSITION: Left-wing
AGE: 31
CLUB: Sevilla
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Seven years after leaving Arsenal to return to his homeland Spain, Sevilla left winger Jose Antonio Reyes could be a target for Premier League clubs in January. The 31-year-old forward has dropped off the international radar in recent years but, with a wealth of top-flight experience, could make an explosive return to English football.
James Milner
POSITION: Midfield
AGE: 29
CLUB: Manchester City
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Manuel Pellegrini spoke of his admiration for Milner after the England international's two late goals against Sheffield Wednesday kept Man City in the FA Cup, but with the midfielder's contract expiring in the summer, the 29-year-old may attract interest from elsewhere. Pellegrini has described Milner as 'useful' and there's no doubt many sides would like to have a tireless utility man – who also has the class to score against the likes of Bayern Munich – in their ranks.
Didier Drogba
POSITION: Striker
AGE: 36
CLUB: Chelsea
CONTRACT EXP: 30.6.15
Iconic Chelsea striker Drogba will become a free agent in the summer if his contract is not extended. After his romantic return to Stamford Bridge from Galatasaray this season, the Ivorian has proved that at 36 years old he remains a world-class force in front of goal.
SUBS:
Dimitar Berbatov (Monaco), Michael Essien (AC Milan), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
