'%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)
The January transfer window opens on New Year's day and clubs around Europe will look to strengthen their squads, with players from around the world, over the course of the month.
The transfer window this January is going to be a lot more exciting as there are several high profile players, currently in the final year of their contracts. However, a few players will be out of contract in January in 2018 and be in the hunt for a new club
While a few of the players will be lured into longer stays with their current employers, a few players will have to find new clubs quickly with just days left on their current contracts.
With contracts beginning to expire in the Chinese Super League in the next 10 days, Here is a look at a few top players who will be available for free in ten days, come January.
Follow El Clasico Live: Real Madrid vs Barcelona Live Score and Commentary
#5 Ricardo Carvalho
Former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Portugal centre-half, Ricardo Carvalho aged 39, currently plies his trade in China, with Shanghai SIPG. With just ten days left on the player's contract, Carvalho might be on the verge of being let go by the club on a free transfer although his future still remains uncertain.
At 39-years of age, the veteran defender could opt to retire after a long career or go in search of more football in other markets and learn about the sport and culture. A winner of almost every club competition in European football across various countries, the Portuguese footballer will add massive value, experience and knowledge to any side he joins.
Carvalho could opt to join the ISL next season, although he will be 40-years old by then, but clubs in India could still largely benefit from the arrival of the veteran Portuguese defender. He joined Shanghai earlier this year on a one-year contract that is going to expire in 10 days time.
#4 Muriqui
Muriqui began his career in 20014 at Madureira, as an attacking midfielder and was widely tipped to be the next big Brazilian playmaker. After various loan spells in some top Brazilians clubs, he failed to make a significant impact and continued his journey through various clubs in Brazilian leagues.
The player moved to China in 2010 to join Guangzhou Evergrande and spent four seasons at the club before moving to Al Saad for two seasons. Currently, 30-years old, the Brazilian has never appeared for the national team.
He joined and left Vasco da Gama in the span of six months in 2017 and later re-joined former club Guangzhou Evergrande. With just days left on his, contract, Muriqui will be a free agent in the January transfer window.
Muriqui will be in search of a new club, with a number of offers sure to pique the interest of the Brazilian for his next step in his football journey.
#3 Obafemi Martins
Former Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Nigerian forward, Obafemi Martins currently plies his trade in the CSL with Shanghai Shenhua. He joined the Chinese club in Feb 2016 and is out of contract in 10 days time, at the end of the calendar year.
The 33-year-old striker has played at the highest level in Europe and could be on his way out of the Chinese club on a free transfer. With a variety of markets on offer to choose from, Martins could opt for a return to Europe and play at the highest level in world football.
The ISL could also be an option for the African striker next season as the league in India is slowly gaining momentum and turning into a competitive league. With football on the rise in many markets, Martins could also move to established ones such as the MLS in the USA which has become one of the top leagues in the world.
#2 Aloísio
Another talented Brazilian striker aged 29, Aloisio began his career with Gremio in 2006 before jumping across clubs on loan in the Brazilian league. Having failed to make a significant impact during his decade playing in Brazil, the player opted to switch to China and join Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C in 2014.
After two seasons at the club, having made 66 appearances and scored 33 goals, CSL top team Hebei China Fortune signed the player in 2016. However, Aloisio's contract expires in ten days and the club could have to let the player leave on a free transfer.
With 20 goals in 37 appearances for the club during his two seasons. Aloisio has impressed in his two spells with China. While his future hangs in the balance, the striker is most likely to remain in China and join another CSL team to ply his trade.
#1 Ezequiel Lavezzi
In what was widely considered a strange move in February 2016, the 32-year-old Argentinian international, Ezequiel Lavezzi joined CSL outfit Hebei China Fortune for a reported €5 million move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Having won four consecutive league titles with PSG, Lavezzi decided to move to China. However, his club managed only a seventh spot finish in the CSL, during his first season in China, under former Manchester City, Real Madrid and Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini.
With only a couple of days remaining on his contract expiring at the end of this year, Lavezzi's short stint in Asia looks like its coming to an end. As the former PSG forward will be vying for a place in his country's World Cup squad, Lavezzi will need to find new employers and gain consistent game-time.
A move to Europe would suit the Argentinian as a host of clubs would line up to sign the influential attacking player for the second half of the season.
