With little time remaining on their current deals, clubs could be forced to sell their star men for a reduced fee in January, or risk losing them for nothing in the summer if new contracts aren’t agreed.
David De Gea
If Kepa Arrizabalaga is worth £70m, De Gea’s value is mouth-watering. Only an administrative error prevented him from joining Real Madrid on deadline day in 2015. It is understood Manchester United are close to agreeing a new five-year deal with the man many believe to be the world’s best goalkeeper.
Cesc Fabregas
It remains to be seen whether Fabregas will play a part at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri this season. The new boss seems set on his midfield three of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, with Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek waiting in the wings. Fabregas, who is currently recovering from an injury, may prove surplus to requirements and seek a move elsewhere.
Vincent Kompany
Manchester City’s longest serving player will be 33 when his contract runs out in June, but he shows no sign of slowing down. He remains a regular feature in Pep Guardiola’s back line and his influence in the dressing room cannot be understated.
Toby Alderweireld
The Tottenham defender was linked to Manchester United throughout the summer after failing to agree a new deal with Spurs. The north London side could trigger a one-year extension in the 28-year-old’s current contract, but that could result in them losing him for just £25million next summer if a transfer is sealed in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Aaron Ramsey
The Arsenal midfielder was the fans’ Player of the Season last campaign. The Gunners have had their share of contract issues after Alexis Sanchez, who had just months remaining on his deal and refused to sign a new one, forced a move through to Premier League rivals Manchester United last January. Unai Emery will be keen to avoid a similar situation with Ramsey.
James Milner
After Liverpool signed Naby Keita and Fabinho, many would’ve expected Milner to feature as a back-up for the Reds this season. However, he has started every Premier League game so far, often picked ahead of the two summer signings, so a new deal could well be on the cards.
David Luiz
The Chelsea defender fell out of favour under Antonio Conte last season but has regained his place with Sarri. He recently admitted he was close to leaving the club if Conte remained in charge.
Anthony Martial
Another player who looked set for a move over the summer, Martial’s time at Manchester United has turned sour. Mourinho publicly criticised the out-of-favour winger for not returning to pre-season immediately after his wife had given birth and the relationship between the pair often appears frosty. United, however, will not lose their £50million man for nothing, and a January move seems to be the most likely outcome.
Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham’s Mr Reliable is confident his stay in north London won’t end when his current deal runs out. “My contract is expiring at the end of the season, but Tottenham have an option to extend it with one year,” he told Belgian media this week. “I think they will take up the option. We’ll see what happens.”
Luke Shaw
The Red Devils full-back has come through a difficult time at United to finally feature prominently. He was named the club’s Player of the Month for August after a string of performances which saw him recalled to their England squad. Over the summer, he said: “I want to prove to people that I deserve a contract, I don’t want to sign one because of blah, blah, blah, whatever happens in the next couple of months, I want to earn a contract and I want a contract because I deserve a contract.” With the way things are going, he certainly seems to be earning that new deal.
