'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After a season ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, many top football clubs could see some of their most prized assets leave as free agents next summer, as their contracts run out at the end of the current campaign.
As if the fixture congestion and financial ramifications brought about by the pandemic were not enough, clubs also need to keep an eye out for players who are in the final year of their contracts, especially the ones who are first-team regulars.
Five big-name players who could leave their clubs as free agents next summer
A bevy of fine players are set to leave their clubs as free agents next summer. On that note, let's take a look at five of the biggest names in this regard:
#5 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil has been frozen out of the Arsenal squad since March. While it's true that the 32-year-old German playmaker is arguably past his prime, he still has a few years of top-level football left in him.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner, for all his perceived deficiencies - inability to adapt and a conspicuous lack of pace - is still capable of conjuring up killer passes in the attacking third, something Arsenal have sorely lacked this season.
Ozil's contract at Arsenal runs out in the summer, but the player is unlikely to be drafted into the Gunners' Premier League or Europa League squads in January.
Despite the player not playing a competitive game for well over six months, a plethora of clubs are interested in Ozil's services.
However, it remains to be seen if the German intends to trade a pay-cut for some game-time or warm the Arsenal bench before leaving as a free agent in the summer.
#4 Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is undoubtedly one of the finest players to have graced the Premier League.
In a near decade-long stint at Manchester City, the Argentine has scored goals and etched records galore in the competition. However, injuries have begun to catch up with the versatile striker, who has not had much game-time this season.
The 32-year-old is widely expected to see out his contract at City, which runs out this summer. However, the player has not yet agreed a contract extension with the club and could walk out as a free agent.
#3 David Alaba
David Alaba is arguably one of the biggest 'big-name' players who is all set to become a free agent in the summer.
The 28-year-old centre-back, who has won domestic and continental honours galore with Bayern Munich, is in the final year of his contract with the Bavarian giants.
After protracted contract negotiations between both parties failed to break a stalemate, Bayern Munich have reportedly withdrawn their contract extension offer for Alaba, a development that has alerted many top clubs from around the continent.
"Our sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic contacted (Alaba's) agent, and the answer was that the offer is still unsatisfying, and that we should think more. We then decided to take the offer off the table completely. That means there is no longer any offer,” says Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer.
Alaba remains a key player for Bayern Munich but is increasingly unlikely to feature for the club beyond the summer.
#2 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is arguably one of the biggest big-name players who could shockingly leave his club in the summer as a free agent.
The Real Madrid captain, who has been synonymous with the club's name for well over a decade and a half, has been a key player for his side, especially since the departure of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The centre-back, who has impressed at both ends of the pitch, recently conjured his 100th goal in all competitions for Merengues, making him only the second defender in the club's illustrious history to do so.
The 34-year-old has reportedly agreed 'in principle' to a two-year contract extension. However, with no official announcement in this regard from either party, Ramos could technically 'open' discussions with any club in January and leave Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is inarguably the biggest free agent who could be available in the summer of 2021.
After almost leaving his 'beloved' Barcelona this summer after seeing his club endure a first trophyless season in more than a decade, the diminutive Argentinian was 'persuaded' to stay on.
Reluctant to take to court the only club he has called home, Messi did stay on but has largely looked like a pale shadow of his illustrious self, and that has undoubtedly had an effect on Barcelona's fortunes this season.
Barring a miraculous turnaround in the club's form or a change of heart in Messi, it is increasingly likely that the 33-year-old will not stay at Camp Nou beyond the summer.
Considering the player's undoubted pedigree, there will be no shortage of suitors for Messi's services, and a reunion of the player with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City appears quite likely.
