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With just under five months until the Premier League season ends, a number of Premier League players could find themselves looking for new clubs for next term. This leaves the option of pre-contract agreements for those players who are yet to be offered a new deal.
With the January transfer window being viewed as a difficult period for making ideal transfer acquisitions, clubs would rather wait for a few months and get their targets for free.
The list is extensive because almost every club has a player out of contract this summer, but who are the 5 players that are still to be tied down to a new contract?
#5. Vincent Kompany
Manchester City’s captain Vincent Kompany has spent the best part of the last decade at the Etihad Stadium where he has established himself as one of the best defenders in Premier League history.
The 3-time Premier League champion is still waiting for a new deal that will keep him at Eastlands for the foreseeable future. While the word from City is that they are willing to offer a new contract to their current longest-serving player, his injury record is certainly not the best.
For the last two years, Kompany has been a notable absentee from Manchester City’s starting line-up on a weekly basis, and that led to the City board to purchase a number of centre-backs during that span.
According to reports, Barcelona have shown an interest, and Kompany could engage in negotiations as early as now. While ideally, Kompany would accept a new deal, he is no longer a guaranteed name in the starting line-up.
#4. James Milner
It is hard to believe that James Milner is 33. The versatile Liverpool man who can fill in almost every position is entering the final five months of his contract. He has been an integral part of the Liverpool team over the years, and is the sole Premier League winner in their squad at the moment.
Jurgen Klopp needs no reminding of Milner’s contributions to the first team. Milner recently joined the 500 appearances club in the Premier League, and his future at the Reds remains unclear. A return to Leeds United is viewed as a potential destination if they do make the comeback to the Premier League next season.
#3. Olivier Giroud
Chelsea have a number of senior players currently over the age of 30 that could leave for nothing in July. Giroud initially signed an 18-month deal after joining from Arsenal. Even though he has not been hitting the back of the net often, his link-up play has been brilliant. He was also instrumental in France’s World Cup success in Russia.
With the Blues enduring a crisis in the strikers' department majorly due to Morata’s poor form in front of goal, they are in the market for a new marksman. Maurizio Sarri has lauded Giroud’s contribution to the team on a number of occasions, and it would be a real surprise if he is not offered a contract extension.
#2. Ashley Young
Manchester United are another club with almost 7 senior players out of contract for next season. The likes of Phil Jones, Ander Herrera and Andreas Perreira are yet to be offered fresh deals. According to Sky Italia, Antonio Valencia, the club captain, is reportedly set to move to Inter if the Nerazzurri's Brazilian defender Miranda departs.
United’s vice-captain Ashley Young is surprisingly entering the final five months of his contract. However, Manchester Evening News reported that the club is in the process of negotiating contracts with a number of players, including Ashley Young. The England International has been one of United’s best players this season, covering at both full back positions.
#1. Aaron Ramsey
On top of the list is Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, whose potential suitors include names such as Juventus, PSG and Real Madrid. A move to Turin is viewed as the likeliest destination for the Welshman.
The Daily Mail published an article this week indicating that the transfer to Juventus could happen as early as January, and this could be a swap deal with the Old Lady, taking Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia to the Emirates. While Juventus may not accept those terms, they would also balk at Arsenal’s asking price of 40m pounds for a player they would sign for free in a few months' time.
