The winter transfer is almost upon us and its time to dust the cobwebs off the rumour windmill for it’s about to be put to some actual news. There are a host of Premier League stars who could sort their futures in January – either by moving to a new club or sign a pre-contract with an interested club and move in the summer.
A pre-contract kicks in for most Premier League players when they have only six months left on their contracts. A clause allows them to negotiate with clubs without the consent of their current club. And while clubs try to ensure this doesn't happen often, given rivals can sign their stars on the free, some of the players outright reject a contract extension due to various reasons.
Here's looking at seven Premier League stars who could sign a pre-contract in January: (As well as who the interested clubs are)
#7 Lucas Leiva
Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva is a free man come the end of the current Premier League season. Having joined the Reds from Gremio nine years ago, Leiva is on the fringes of the first team under manager Jurgen Klopp.
A destroyer capable of playing across the middle of the field, Leiva’s biggest strengths are his ability to read the game but his inability to adapt to Klopp’s high-pressing style has cut short his stint with the Merseyside club.
Liverpool fans love him given his fire and utmost commitment to the club when on the field, but even they know there isn’t space for him in this new regime. A host of Premier League clubs and other European clubs are interested in signing Leiva on the free.
Interested clubs: West Bromwich Albion, Schalke and OGC Nice
#6 Per Mertesacker
Arsenal defender and captain, Per Mertesacker, is currently running down the last few months of his contract – sidelined with an injury that’s yet to heal completely. The 32-year-old was one of Arsene Wenger’s many players in that frantic trolley dash transfer window of 2011.
But the big German has been vital in building Arsenal back into contention after that summer. Having lost then captain Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy in one window, the Gunners had lost a lot of ground to their rivals but its players like Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta who came in and steadied the ship.
A hugely vital player for Arsenal and Germany – where he’s been capped a staggering 104 caps – Mertesacker will forever be adored by his Arsenal fans for his commitment, his humour off the field and for being the father figure the team needed when they hit a low – but still qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
However, Arsenal do have an option to extend his contract by another year. They’re yet to confirm if they’re doing so.
Interested clubs: Werder Bremen (his former club), ‘Big Friendly Giants’ club and Arsenal (as an extension)
#5 John Obi Mikel
What’s happened to John Obi Mikel? The Chelsea midfielder was a vital player – usually off the bench – for Chelsea under former boss Jose Mourinho but seems to be nothing more than a training body for Antonio Conte.
Mikel is the kind of midfielder who can come in and ensure your team doesn’t concede any goal. He’s strong, his positioning sense is impeccable and he’s able to read situations better than most midfielders.
If rumours are to be believed, Mikel still has an admirer in Mourinho who would love to bring him to Old Trafford and help him settle the often volatile midfield seen.
Interested clubs: Manchester United
#4 Yaya Toure
Every time I say Yaya Toure’s name out load, I can’t help but recollect Steven Gerrard and the rest of the Liverpool team singing the Toure brothers’ song in Dubai. Heh.
Yaya Toure is probably the best midfielder Manchester City have had in the Premier League. Ever since joining from Barcelona, the Ivorian slotted into the midfield and took the English game by storm with his strong explosive runs into the box and his breathtaking goals.
His combination with Sergio Aguero and David Silva was simply exquisite at times and it’s a shame what he’s going through with Pep Guardiola at the moment.
Interested clubs: Manchester United (yes, really), Inter Milan and ‘Pep’s Million mistakes’ club.
Bonus video:
#3 Jesus Navas
Jesus Navas is another Manchester City star coming to the end of his contract. The 31-year-old was, and let me be honest, confusing at times. He’s brilliant on his day but then goes missing on other days making people wonder why he was signed on in the first place.
Famous for being the modern day footballer with homesickness, Navas needn’t wait longer to get back to where it’s most comfortable to him. No, not the bench, but back home to Sevilla. Having spent all of his career at the Spanish club, Navas is sure to have an open spot back in the team if he were interested.
His absence from the side will be felt – his runs, his runs on the other wing and his passes inside the box were vital for the Citizens.
Interested club: Sevilla
#2 Santi Cazorla
The one man Arsenal fans love most after Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil is Santi Cazorla. And it’s hard to argue why, really. The Spaniard is a wizard and everyone knows it. Ever since he signed for Arsenal in 2012, no player in the Premier League has recorded more assists than the 32-year-old.
And that’s coming from a man who primarily plays deep in the midfield. Cazorla will always have a spot in the Arsenal first-team if he’s fit , but given his injury record the past couple of years, it’s easy to understand why Arsenal are yet to extend his contract.
But the Gunners do have an option of signing him on for another year and they might just do it.
Interested clubs: Villareal and Arsenal. (as an extension)
#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
It's unbelievable that this guy is 35 years old! Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a phenomenon. He's still one of the best strikers in the world inside the box. He's fit as a fiddle, he's creative with the way he passes the ball and he's the kind of figure a team like Manchester United need right now.
Having played in all of Europe's top leagues – barring the Bundesliga – Zlatan has the experience and knowledge to handle situations better than any other player in the current squad and it's no surprise to see Jose Mourinho trusting the big man for all his games.
However, his career – and contract – are coming to an end. We think. He has offers on the table to play a few more years and the option to extend with Manchester United for another year.
Interested club: MLS clubs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic Fan club and Manchester United (as an extension)
