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The winter transfer window opens on the new year's day and the clubs will try to strengthen their squads over the course of the month. Generally considered to be a low key affair, many shrewd signings have taken place in the past in the January period. Luis Suarez moved to Liverpool in January 2011, while Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic were also signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the winter of 2006 and went on to become legends at Manchester United.
Also, this is that time of the year where certain players can officially begin negotiating terms with other clubs and can sign a pre-contract agreement for joining at the beginning of next season if their contract is due to end in the summer. This year the winter transfer window is going to be a lot more exciting as there are several high profile players who are currently in the final year of their contract and can seek fresh challenges come January 1.
Here we take a look at five world class players who can begin contract negotiations this January and sign for free next season.
#5 Emre Can
The German central midfielder's contract at Liverpool expires next summer and he'll be available for a free transfer on July 1, 2018. The former Leverkusen and Bayern man is an adaptable player who has also played as a defensive midfielder, centre-back and fullback for the reds and any manager in the world would be interested in his services.
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2014, Can has made over 140 appearances for the club and has also scored 11 goals in the process, with his wonder goal against Watford being the best of the lot. His performances have earned many admirers and several clubs are circling in for his signature.
Juventus have had a long standing interest and were willing to sign him this past summer but are expected to face a stiff competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and even Borussia Dortmund have been monitoring the situation closely whose manager Peter Bosz shares the same agent as that of Emre Can.
#4 Mesut Ozil
The 29-year old's contract at Emirates is up next summer and the contract negotiations between the club and the player have stalled for the past few months. The former World Cup winner is increasingly frustrated with club's incompetence in the transfer market and the lack of Champions League football.
As things stand, the Arsenal playmaker will be available for free next summer and given his stature, there is expected to be no shortage of clubs interested in his signature. One last big contract maybe, and the prospect of playing in the Champions League again are surely going to be too difficult to resist.
Manchester United has long been touted as a potential destination with a potential link up with former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho tempting enough, but a return to home country with Bayern and a sensational return to Spain with Real Madrid's city rivals Atletico now closely monitoring the situation to replace the possibly departing Saul are also among the possibilities.
#3 Leon Goretzka
The 22-year old German who has been touted by many as the brightest football talent in the country rose to prominence with his performances at the FIFA Confederations Cup and his performances in Bundesliga for Schalke have only enhanced that reputation. He has already been capped 12 times by Joachim Loew scoring 6 goals and his brace in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup against Mexico earning him many plaudits.
The midfielder whose contract at Schalke expires next summer is already subject of interest from several big clubs across Europe with reports suggesting he has already been scouted several times by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich but is intent on securing a move to the Premier League having his head turned by wages on offer with Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea among suitors.
At 6ft 2in, he is a strong physical presence and his defensive contribution and ability to win aerial duels have likened him to Sami Khedira, though they are not exactly similar. He is comfortable on the ball and also has an eye for goal, having a good long shot and can pick up defence piercing pass. If he can continue the progress and realise his true potential, he can be at the Ballon d'Or podium in the near future.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
The much-publicised deadline day transfer saga of Alexis Sanchez where he failed in an attempt to force away a move from Emirates to Etihad is well known. He had his heart set on reuniting with Pep but had to stay since Arsenal's advances were rejected by Thomas Lemar. Sanchez will be entering the final six months of his contract in January and doesn't seem to be too interested in an extension.
The former Barca man has appeared 152 times for the Gunners since his move in 2014 and has found the back of the net on 74 occasions. He is also the leading goalscorer for Chile having scored 39 times and is one of the best players in the world at the moment. He hasn't been able to replicate his best form this season having only scored 2 times, looking disinterested at times but the 28-year old is at the peak age of his career and any manager would love to have him in his starting lineup.
He has continuously played a lot of minutes for club and country over the past few seasons with summer participation in World Cup, Copa America, Confederation Cup with Chile but missing out on next year's World Cup means a rested and rejuvenated Alexis Sanchez can be a force to be reckoned with.
Several heavyweight clubs are said to be monitoring the situation with Manchester City said to be the frontrunners but PSG and also Real Madrid can make the best of the unexpected transfer market with their resources.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of the generation, has been at Barcelona since the age of 11 and has won several accolades during his illustrious career. He has been integral to Barca's golden generation and has won 30 trophies and 5 Ballon d'Or titles having appeared 600 times for the club having scored 523 goals to go with 198 assists.
Messi's contract at Barca is up next summer and he will be able to negotiate with others in just over a month's time. Though a contract has been agreed upon and Barca's boardroom staff has time and again emphasised that there is no need to panic and Messi will sign the new deal but there is a growing concern among Cules that there prized asset might leave them next summer.
Though seeing Messi in any shirt other than Barcelona's is highly unlikely, but the fact that he has not yet signed a new deal does indicate that everything is not well. There have been tensions in the past between Barcelona board and Messi with him once publically coming out and accusing the then Barcelona director Javier Faus of "knowing nothing" and Barca's recent disastrous showing in the transfer market to strengthen the squad have reportedly left him fuming.
If one day he does decide to leave, he will certainly not be devoid of any suitors and the packages and lucrative deals on offer from the likes of PSG and Man City can make the heads turn of any individual.
