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Getty ImagesLionel Messi | FW | Barcelona
Lionel Messi stirred up quite a fuss when he told his club that he wanted to leave in August, amid a period of intense difficulty for the Camp Nou team. The Blaugrana failed to pick up a single title in 2019-20 and had suffered repeated humiliation in the Champions League, his relationship with club president Josep Bartomeu also deteriorating.
He had looked set to leave in the summer with his contract expiring in 2021, but the Argentina talisman revealed in an exclusive interview to Goal that he remains intent on seeing out the full terms of his contract as he had no wish to take Barcelona to court. Coming to terms that buying out his own €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause was impossible, Messi will now remain in Spain for at least another season.
The forward turns 34 next summer, but his age will not sway the minds of Europe’s elite - with Messi already having been linked to the likes of Man City and PSG.
Getty ImagesLuis Suarez | FW | Barcelona
Even if Lionel Messi has been confirmed to stay at Barcelona for an extra year, another Blaugrana striker could be headed for the exit.
Luis Suarez has been the object of heavy interest from Juventus, with Goal able to confirm that the Serie A side is already negotiating a fee and the terms of the contract for the Uruguayan. He would link up with former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, alongside Paulo Dybala.
Getty ImagesSergio Aguero | FW | Man City
Nearly a decade on from the legendary “AgueroooooooOOOOOOOOO!!!” goal that won Manchester City their first-ever Premier League title in historic fashion against QPR, edging out rivals Manchester United, Sergio Aguero could be moving on from the Etihad.
When fit, Aguero has shown that he is one of Man City’s most prolific and important forwards alongside Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, but it is injuries that have prevented him from earning a consistent regular role in the first-team.
His agent Hernan Reguera has said that he is set to honour his contract at the Etihad, but added that the striker will “see what happens" after his deal expires in 2021.
GettySergio Ramos | DF | Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos is Real Madrid through and through, captaining the Spanish side through numerous Champions League victories and La Liga championships.
At 34 years of age, he is likely to retire to with Los Blancos, and according to Marca, discussions are currently ongoing to extend his current contract for a further two years - until 2023.
Getty ImagesThiago Alcantara | MF | Bayern
Discussions around Thiago Alacantara’s future has been one of the bigger sagas of the summer 2020 transfer window, with the Bayern Munich midfielder being heavily linked to Premier League winners Liverpool.
Fresh from lifting a Champions League trophy with the German clubs, Alcantara has refused to solidify details of his future with his contract expiring in 2021 as rumours have swirled of Liverpool keen to get their hands on the former Barcelona man.
Getty ImagesGeorginio Wijnaldum | MF | Liverpool
Georginio Wijnaldum has emerged as a steady, consistent and reliable talent under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool since arriving from Newcastle in 2011. He has played an important role in the middle of the park for the Reds, with his two goals against Barcelona in the Champions League 2019 semi-finals perhaps the highlight of his contributions.
With the Dutchman’s contract expiring 2021, he has been linked to Barcelona, where former Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman is reportedly keen on signing him.
GettyPaul Pogba | MF | Manchester United
Paul Pogba currently has a deal at Old Trafford that ends next summer, though his contract includes a one-year extension to 2022.
The French international endured a mixed bag of success at Manchester United due to several injury woes and inconsistent form, having admitted in the summer of 2019 that “it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else”.
He has shown promising performances, however, partnering January signing Bruno Fernandes, though he has been regularly linked with a move back to former side Juventus. Following Man Utd’s return to the Champions League, however, Pogba suggested that he intends to stay on in Manchester.
Getty ImagesGianluigi Donnarumma | GK | AC Milan
AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma became the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A, aged 16 years and 242 days. He immediately broke into the first-team and has emerged as one of the world’s most promising young goalkeepers – also becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for Italy when he made his senior international debut in 2016, aged 17 years and 189 days.
Donnarumma wore the armband for the first time in July 2020 against Sassuolo in Serie A, and according to Football Italia, he is currently negotiating the terms of a potential contract extension past 2021.
GettyDavid Alaba | LB | Bayern
David Alaba has been one of Bayern Munich’s longest-serving veterans, having broken through the youth team ranks and emerging into the first-team in 2010. He has been a regular for the Bundesliga giants for nearly a decade, lifting nine German championship titles, two Champions League wins and three DFB Pokals.
According to Bild, talks are still ongoing between the club and Alaba’s team to extend the terms of his contract beyond 2021.
GettyMemphis Depay | LW | Lyon
The Netherlands international was a standout talent for Lyon in the 2019-20 Champions League, firing his side to the semi-finals of the competition with six goals and knocking out Juventus.
With his contract expiring next summer, Memphis Depay has iterated that he is aware of interest from Barcelona, who are looking to supplement Luis Suarez’s potential transfer to Juventus with additional forward reinforcements.
"I haven't heard much more from my agent. I know that there is interest, but I don't have much more to say because I don't know much about it,” said Depay.
GettyArkadiusz Milik | FW | Napoli
Arkadiusz Milik has been one of Napoli’s standout talents, the Poland forward scoring 48 goals in 122 appearances for the Series A side.
He has been linked to Italy rivals Roma with his contract up next year, though Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has expressed his intent on wanting to keep the player: “This transfer window is difficult but we have an important team made up of many players whose value remains important, such as Milik,” said Giuntoli.
GettyFlorian Thauvin | RW | Marseille
The Marseille forward has reportedly turned down a contract extension at the French club and is now being linked to a move to Atalanta, after three years playing in the south of France.
Injury problems meant that he made minimal appearances in the 2019-20 season and is now looking for a fresh chapter, having scored 18 goals in 37 appearances for Marseille in the previous campaign.
Getty ImagesAngel Di Maria | RW | PSG
The Argentina forward has enjoyed a fruitful career at PSG following a dismal spell at Manchester United, despite finishing as a Champions League runners-up in 2020. With his contract expiring next season, Angel Di Maria has previously told reporters that he has no intention of signing for another European club - preferring to return to his native Argentina.
“For the moment, there are no discussions (about an extension)," Di Maria said during a press conference in January.
"I have another one-and-a-half years on my current contract, I am staying calm. I have been saying it from the first day. I hope that PSG will be my last club in Europe, then I will return to play in Argentina.”
Getty ImagesJulian Draxler | MF | PSG
Julian Draxler has been a regular in the PSG team since his arrival in 2017, lifting three Ligue 1 titles.
He is reported to be keen on extending his stay at the Parc des Princes past 2021, though he has been the subject of keen interest from numerous clubs in Europe - including a particularly cheeky eye from Leeds.
Getty ImagesJesse Lingard | MF | Man Utd
The Manchester United midfielder is entering the last year of his contract at Old Trafford, though he has the option to extend his deal by a further year come 2021.
He had been looked on set to leave in the summer, not pegged to be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rebuild of the squad - making just two appearances off the bench of the nine Premier League restart games in 2019-20.
Getty ImagesJuan Bernat | LB | PSG
According to reports, the Spanish international intends to stay in Paris but has salary demands that the Ligue 1 giants do not intend to meet.
PSG, however, have remained hopeful that contract negotiations will reach a meaningful conclusion.
Getty ImagesShkodran Mustafi | DF | Arsenal
The German defender is heading into the final year of his contract at the Emirates, with Arteta understood to not see him as part of Arsenal's long-term plans.
Shkodran Mustafi will be allowed to move on should offers arrive before the end of the summer, with the Gunners still needing to balance their books at centre-back.
Getty ImagesDiego Costa | FW | Atletico Madrid
Perhaps hated more than he is loved, Diego Costa is sure to stir up chaos and controversy wherever he sets foot. His contract at Atletico Madrid is due to end in 2021, having spent three years in the Spanish capital.
He has been linked with a move to either AC Milan or Inter.
Getty ImagesLuka Modric | MF | Real Madrid
Luka Modric was linked with a move out of the Bernabeu in the earlier stages of the season, but after promising displays towards the end of the campaign, it looks as if the Croatia international will be the recipient of contract extension.
Modric scored five goals and registered seven assists across all competitions for the Spanish club in 2019-20 and has been a key player for Los Blancos.
Getty ImagesTheo Walcott | RW | Everton
There was a time when it was thought that Theo Walcott would emerge as the forefront of English talent in his early days as a Gunner, but injuries prevented that from ever happening.
Walcott left Arsenal in 2018 to join Everton in a £20 million deal, but could be made to move on by Carlo Ancelotti following the summer swoops of James Rodriguez and Allan.
Getty ImagesDemarai Gray | LW | Leicester
After a lack of first-team involvement under Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, Demarai Gray has been linked with a number of clubs ahead of the expiry of his contract next summer.
Aston Villa have been eyeing the winger, along with the likes of Tottenham.
Getty ImagesMesut Ozil | MF | Arsenal
What’s going on with Mesut Ozil? The former Real Madrid star was frozen out of the squad towards the end of the 2019-20 season, with Arsenal continuing to find ways to offload the player. Despite this, he was included in a pre-season game for Arsenal and has previously claimed that he has no intention of leaving before the end of his contract.
Ozi’s future and next steps are uncertain, but at 31, he would still be a coup on a free.
Getty ImagesJavi Martinez | MF | Bayern
After dropping down the pecking order at Bayern Munich, Javi Martinez is now looking for a return to Athletic after eight campaigns spent at the Allianz.
Martinez is under contract until June 2021 in Bavaria, but Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has publicly declared that the club will not stand in his way should he continue to pursue a departure, with the two now negotiating terms for a sale.
GettyGiovanni Reyna | MF | Borussia Dortmund
The German club are understood to be looking to extend the terms of the U.S. international’s contract past 2021, ahead of his 18th birthday in November.
Giovanni Reyna has enjoyed a breakout campaign in Germany, the teenager currently working on youth terms in Dortmund and unable to commit to a long-term deal until he reaches his next birthday.
Getty ImagesJuan Mata | MF | Man Utd
The Spanish international’s contract at Old Trafford runs until 2021, with the option to extend for a further year.
He has outlined his determination to remain in Manchester for more years, saying in May: "When you play your first game you feel like you are in a new beginning, a very exciting moment in your life playing for this club. I don't want to stop here, I want to keep going and going, and keep adding games in a United shirt."
Getty ImagesArturo Vidal | MF | Barcelona
The Chile international’s deal at Camp Nou winds down next summer, and he has already been heavily linked with a move to Inter.
He lifted a Liga title with Barcelona, along with a Supercopa - and could follow Suarez out the door.
Getty ImagesPatrick van Aanholt | LB | Crystal Palace
Patrick van Aanholt has been an important player for the Eagles, though a dislocated shoulder injury sustained in a match against Man Utd in July will force him to be sidelined for up to two months and into the following the season.
The Netherlands defender was the subject of a bid from PSV in January, and could be sold for a hefty price prior to next summer.
GettyFernandinho | MF | Man City
The Brazil midfielder has been a rock for the Citizens for the past seven seasons, and is now heading into his final year.
At 35 years old, Fernandinho is still an asset to Man City, and should he depart, Pep Guardiola will be given with the difficult task of attempting to find a suitable replacement.
Getty ImagesDavid Luiz | DF | Arsenal
Arsenal are understood to be in talks to extend David Luiz’s contract, despite the Brazil international responsible for several unforced errors in his first couple of months with the Gunners.
GettyMichail Antonio | CF | West Ham
According to the Daily Mail, the London club is set to reward Michail Antonio with a lucrative extension to his contract following his 10 goals that arguably saved the Hammers from relegation.
The reports state that Antonio is set to become one of the club’s top earners following his pivotal role in the club’s Premier League survival.
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