The Top 20 Players Revealed
The 2025/26 season officially began yesterday, and as the clock struck midnight on July 1, numerous contracts around the globe entered their final year. Football, a multi-billion-Euro industry, has a distinct feature: some of the biggest stars can switch clubs for free as their contracts expire. Looking at players whose current deals will conclude this season, there’s a mix of high-profile athletes who might leverage their expiring contracts to force transfers this summer or part ways with their current teams in the next year.
Analyzing the 20 most valuable players now in the last year of their contracts reveals a diverse selection, featuring individuals at various career stages. While seasoned players like Bernardo Silva from Manchester City are included, there are also younger talents such as Brighton’s Simon Adingra, Valencia’s sought-after defender Christian Mosquera, PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, and Real Madrid’s Raúl Asencio. These exciting prospects face the possibility of leaving their clubs without a fee next summer.
Many renowned names are also likely to attempt to capitalize on their contract situations to secure moves before the next season kicks off. For instance, Jadon Sancho is almost certain to depart from Manchester United prior to his contract’s expiration. Furthermore, Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović and AC Milan’s defender Theo Hernández frequently appear in summer transfer rumors. Liverpool is heavily linked with acquiring Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, while Manchester United has made several proposals for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, as both players are expected to decline contract extensions.
Liverpool’s interest in Guéhi may be influenced by their star defender Ibrahima Konaté, who ranks as the second most valuable player globally with a contract expiring next summer. He is just ahead of Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, both of whom are also at the center of speculation regarding their futures. Just below them is Paris Saint-Germain’s goalkeeper and Champions League star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who might be looking for a new club unless he signs a new contract with the Ligue 1 club.
The standout name on the list, however, is undoubtedly Napoli’s striker Victor Osimhen. Previously described by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis as a player worth €200 million, the Nigerian forward is currently set to leave the Serie A team for free in 12 months. Whether Osimhen and Napoli can negotiate a deal this summer remains uncertain, yet as of now, the 26-year-old striker holds the title of the most valuable player in the world with a contract that expires in 2026.