The biggest players free to talk to clubs from 1 January | OneFootball

Let the meddling begin!

1 January not only represents the beginning of the winter transfer window (and your keto diet), but it's the starting point for prospective free transfers in the summer, too.

From this moment on, players who have entered the final six months of their contracts can formally discuss and negotiate future moves with foreign clubs.

And boy, will there be folk sniffing around. The current potential free agent talent pool is absurd.

Here are the ten biggest names who are free to talk to clubs ahead of a potential transfer in 2025.

Real Madrid have already made an approach for the Liverpool full-back / Julian Finney/GettyImages

Liverpool have already rejected an approach from Real Madrid to sign their revolutionary academy graduate in January, and we're bound to be subject to incessant Trent Alexander-Arnold talk until his future is finally resolved.The Reds have a triumvirate of superstars with their contracts running down, and Alexander-Arnold seems the most likely to depart, despite his Scouse roots. Liverpool remain hopeful of retaining their full-back, but the allure of Madrid and the potential to team up with bestie Jude Bellingham may be too hard for Alexander-Arnold to ignore.

2. Mohamed Salah

Salah is enjoying an outstanding Premier League campaign / Julian Finney/GettyImages

While Alexander-Arnold has generally kept quiet over his future, Mohamed Salah has been considerably more outspoken. The 32-year-old Egyptian king remains open to extending his stay at Anfield, but said at the end of 2024 that a deal is currently still "far away" from being struck. Salah is the club's highest-earner, but the winger is proving once again this season that he is worth every penny.

Davies has been linked with a move to Spanish capital / ALEXANDRA BEIER/GettyImages

The hype surrounding Alphonso Davies has hushed since its 2020 peak, but there is no denying that the electric Canadian international remains one of Europe's premier left-backs. While perhaps not as physically dominant as he once was, Davies boasts a skill set possessed by very few at his position. Bayern have previously tried without success to tie down the Canadian for the long haul. But Davies has been tempted by Real Madrid interest.Several Premier League clubs are also believed to be monitoring the situation, with Madrid remaining the left-back's priority if he doesn't extend in Bavaria.

4. Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk is the third Liverpool superstar with their contract expiring / Copa/GettyImages

The final Liverpool musketeer is the Reds' centre-back stalwart. The Dutchman has laughed in the face of those who suggested he was on the decline after returning from an ACL tear, with Virgil van Dijk re-establishing himself as the world's best defender over the past 18 months.Liverpool's second-highest earner has opted against the Salah route of pressure-piling and it seems as if the Premier League leaders are prioritising Van Dijk's extension. Out of the Anfield three, this seems the most likely to get done.

Kimmich remains a key cog in the Bavarian machine / Daniel Kopatsch/GettyImages

Joshua Kimmich once seemed destined to play out his prime and twilight years at Bayern Munich, but the midfielder's indifference over the past couple of seasons have seemingly convinced the German that a new challenge may be required. Kimmich has produced some standout performances this term, however, and Bayern would be wise to return to the negotiating table. The 29-year-old has one more big contract in him. If he does decide to move on, Kimmich will have his fair share of admirers.

6. Leroy Sane

Sane has played a more sporadic role for Bayern this term / Daniel Kopatsch/GettyImages

Leroy Sane depicted his game-breaking talent during the back end of 2023/24 after emerging as a model of consistency during the campaign's opening act. The German can blow hot and cold, however, with injury setbacks refusing to help his cause in 2024. Bayern are blessed with an array of stellar wide options, and Sane has featured sporadically under Vincent Kompany. However, it seems as if Bayern are keen to tie down the 29-year-old before the summer.

7. Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne seems more likely than ever to leave Man City / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Kevin De Bruyne flirted with the possibility of leaving Manchester City for Saudi Arabia last summer, and 2024/25 may have been one season too many for the ageing Belgian at the highest level.De Bruyne has struggled for fitness and consistent form this term, and City have suffered as a result. With the Cityzens requiring a major reshuffle in 2025, it seems more likely than ever for the 33-year-old, who turns 34 in June, to depart the Etihad Stadium after a staggering decade-long Premier League career.

8. Son Heung-min

Son's Tottenham future is uncertain / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

It was once regarded as an inevitability that Son Heung-min would extend his stay in north London, but the South Korean's form to close out 2024 has surely given Tottenham food for thought.The 32-year-old has shown distinct signs of physical decline over the past two seasons and has suffered amid a tough campaign for Spurs this term. But chairman Daniel Levy surely won't let Son walk for nothing this summer, with the Lilywhites having the option to activate a one-year extension in his current deal.

9. Jonathan David

David has been a consistent goalscorer for Lille / FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/GettyImages

Jonathan David has been as consistent as they come on the scoring front since joining Lille in 2020, but the Canadian has taken a considerable leap over the past couple of years.The striker scored 24 Ligue 1 goals in 2022/23 and 19 the following campaign. He looks on course to produce similar figures this term, too. David has long been admired by Europe's elite, and finally seems as if the out-of-contract forward will take the plunge in 2025.

Neymar has had a forgettable time in Saudi Arabia / Yasser Bakhsh/GettyImages

Neymar is one of three generation-defining players with their contracts expiring in 2025. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may also be on the move again, but the biggest question mark surrounds the Brazilian. After a forgettable - but insanely well-paid - spell with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, the 32-year-old is surely done at the highest level, especially given the injuries he's had to endure in recent years. A rumoured potential reunion with Messi in Miami is not impossible.