Vinicius Jr Real Madrid 2022-23Getty

Out of contract in 2024: Best free agents in football available to sign on a Bosman

With the likes of Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema, and several other high-profile footballers yet to renew their contracts, GOAL takes a look at the players who will be available to sign for free once their current deals come to a close at the end of the 2023-24 football season.

Footballers whose contracts come to an end in June 2024 can start talking to clubs from January 2024 onwards as part of the Bosman ruling.

Contracts in European football tend to expire over the summer when domestic competition comes to a close.

Players preparing to become free agents are able to discuss pre-contract agreements with teams outside the country they play in from six months prior to their deal expiring.

With no transfer fee involved in moves such as this, lucrative contracts and signing-on bonuses are common, and the following are a few players who could benefit from this.

  • Benzema Real Madrid 2022 2023Getty Images

    Karim Benzema | FW | Real Madrid

    Karim Benzema has been in incredible form for Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid and his performances were rewarded with a contract extension.

    His current contract will end in the summer of 2024 and the French striker will be available to talk to clubs in the upcoming January transfer window.

    Benzema has scored 30 goals from 42 matches in the 2022-23 season and Real Madrid will be hoping to keep the forward in the Spanish capital.

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  • Vinicius(C)Getty Images

    Vinicius Jr | FW | Real Madrid

    Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior has been in excellent form for Real Madrid since joining from Flamengo in 2018. He has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in La Liga this season. He is known for his dribbling skills and his ability to create chances for his teammates which make him a hot asset in the player market.

    While it is likely that the talented youngster will stay at Real Madrid, his current contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

  • Marcus Rashford Man Utd 2022-23Getty Images

    Marcus Rashford | FW | Manchester United

    Marcus Rashford has been a key player for Manchester United since breaking into the first team in 2016. He has shown excellent form in front of goal for his club during the 2022-23 season. He is known for his pace and his ability to take on defenders and he has been especially confident on the pitch since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    Rashford is the club's 2022-23 league top scorer with 17 goals and Erik ten Haag has expressed his confidence in getting the forward to stay with the Red Devils. As it stands, he hasn't extended his current contract which is set to expire in June 2024.

  • Harry Kane Tottenham 2022-23Getty

    Harry Kane | FW | Tottenham

    Harry Kane has been a consistent performer for Tottenham over the years and is now considered to be one of the best strikers in the world He has scored 30 goals during the 2022-23 Premier League season, only six short of Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland despite playing for a team that failed to land a Champions League spot.

    The England international has entered the final year of his current contract and come January 2024, he will be able to talk to other clubs and land a mega deal for the season that will follow. There were similar rumours last season but the player decided to continue with the club that helped him grow. However, soon-to-be 30-year-old Kane might decide that it is time to take the next step in his career.

  • DECLAN RICE WEST HAM Getty Images

    Declan Rice | MF | West Ham

    Declan Rice is West Ham's most treasured midfield asset but it will be hard for them to keep the midfielder at the club for much longer. The England international's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season and there will be no shortage of takers for the talented midfielder.

    The Hammers do have the option of extending his current contract by one more year but it is unlikely that they will commit to that option due to the amount of money at stake. There could be a bidding war for Rice and West Ham would be wise to cash in on the player soon.

  • Mason-Mount(C)GettyImages

    Mason Mount | MF | Chelsea

    For Chelsea fans, Mason Mount is 'one of their own'. However, it looks increasingly likely that the talented midfielder will not be part of the Chelsea squad for much longer. As it stands, Mount's current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season and if he stays at Chelsea for another season, he can start negotiating with other clubs from January 2023.

    There are plenty of takers for Mason Mount, with Manchester United looking to pursue their interest in the summer of 2023.

  • Ousmane Dembele Barcelona Real Sociedad Copa del Rey celebrate 2022-23Getty Images

    Ousmane Dembele | FW | Barcelona

    Ousmane Dembele's contract with Barcelona expires on 30 June 2024. The club has reportedly offered him a new contract, but the two sides have not yet been able to reach an agreement.

    There may be an issue with Dembele's injury history as the two parties negotiate an extension. He has been injured for a significant portion of his time at Barcelona, and the club and fans may be concerned about his ability to stay fit.

    If Dembele does not sign a new contract, he will be able to leave Barcelona for free on 1 July 2024. There will be a number of clubs interested in signing him. It remains to be seen whether Dembele and Barcelona will be able to reach an agreement on a new contract.

  • James Maddison Leicester City 2022-23Getty Images

    James Maddison | MF | Leicester City

    James Maddison's contract with Leicester City is set to expire in the summer of 2024. The club and the player have not yet been able to reach an agreement for a contract extension and it is unlikely now that the club has been relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

    If Maddison does not sign a new contract, he will be able to leave Leicester for free on 1 July 2024. He will also be able to talk to other clubs from January 2023 onwards. There are a number of clubs that are interested in signing him and it remains to be seen if the midfielder will end up staying at his current club.

  • Lucas Hernandez FC Bayern 2022Getty Images

    Lucas Hernandez | DF | Bayern Munich

    Bayern defender Lucas Hernandez will be available to sign on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 season. He is a talented footballer but has struggled for minutes during the 2022-23 campaign due to injury issues.

    Hernandez has played less than 500 minutes and started just six games for Bayern throughout the 2022-23 season. And it looks like even if Bayern would be keen on extending his current contract beyond 2024, the player may be considering offers from elsewhere.