'%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)
Free agents, as the name suggests, are players who are free to join a club of their choice, as they are not contracted with any club. That usually happens when a player runs down his contract, or both parties end the contract by mutual consent.
Free transfers have become the preferred mode of player transfer for clubs after the COVID-19 pandemic wrecked the finances of most teams. Many clubs have treaded this route to land high-profile targets like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gianluigi Donnarumma, to name a few.
Meanwhile, many top players are currently in the final year of their contracts. If they don't sign contract extensions soon, their parent clubs may be powerless to stop these players from moving out on free transfers.
On that note, here's a look at the ten most valuable players who are slated to become free agents in 2022.
#10 Andrea Belotti (Torino) - €35 million
Euro 2020 winner Andrea Belotti is all set to end his seven-season stint with Torino next summer.
As confirmed by the club's manager Ivan Juric, the striker won't sign a contract extension with the Turin-based club. Belotti will stay put at Torino until the end of the season before he embarks on a new challenge.
The 27-year-old has been a solid performer for Torino over the years, netting over 100 times across competitions in 236 appearances. He has scored twice in eight games this season.
#9 Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich) - €35 million
Niklas Sule has been a key player for Bayern Munich, especially this season under Julian Nagelsman.
The 26-year-old recently played his 150th game across competitions for the Bavarian giants. However, the four-time Bundesliga winner was reportedly close to leaving Bayern when Niko Kovac was the manager.
Sule hasn't signed a contract extension yet, so the possibility remains that he could leave Bavaria next summer as a free agent.
However, Sule has enjoyed a prominent role under Nagelsmann this season, playing 17 games across competitions. This could see him decide to put pen to paper on a new deal with Bayern.
#8 Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) - €35 million
Andreas Christensen has largely been a fringe player at Chelsea, making only 140 appearances across competitions since joining them seven years ago.
Nevertheless, he was part of The Blues' team that won the Champions League last season. The Dane has made 13 appearances across competitions this season, suggesting he could yet have a role to play under Thomas Tuchel.
Christensen has yet to agree to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge. But it has emerged that the tall centre-back is on the cusp of agreeing a new deal with Chelsea.
For now, though, Christensen remains one of the most valuable players who could become free agents next summer.
#7 Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan) - €40 million
Marcelo Brozovic has been a key player for Inter Milan since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2014.
The defensive midfielder played a key role in the Nerazzurri's first Serie A triumph in 11 years last season. Brozovic excelled in defensive midfield and also chipped in with two goals and six assists.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, there have been disagreements between both parties regarding a contract extension. That has alerted the likes of Tottenham Hotspur to Brozovic's situation.
Nevertheless, it is likely Inter may not want to let one of their key players leave for free next summer.
#6 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) - €48 million
Lorenzo Insigne is a bonafide Napoli legend, scoring over 100 goals in 411 games across competitions for the club.
The diminutive winger enjoyed a stellar league campaign last season, bagging 19 goals and seven assists. During the campaign, Insigne became only the seventh player to score 100 times across competitions for the two-time Serie A winners.
Despite coming off a blistering campaign, Napoli haven't been able to tie down their captain to a new deal. The rumor mill is abuzz with Insigne's move to Inter Milan, but he is unlikely to move out of Naples in January.
Insigne has scored four times and assisted thrice this campaign to help Napoli make one of their best-ever starts to a Serie A season. Gil Azzurri are atop the league table after 12 games, ahead of AC Milan on goal difference.
The Serie A leaders have offered a new deal to their captain, but are unlikely to revise it if Insigne doesn't sign the dotted lines.
#5 Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - €50 million
Paulo Dybala has been a key player for Juventus since arriving in Turin six years ago.
The diminutive Argentinian has scored over 100 goals in 265 games across competitions, winning five consecutive Serie A titles. Although he endured an injury-plagued 2020-21 campaign under Andrea Pirlo, Dybala has seemingly rediscovered his mojo under Massimiliano Allegri.
Dybala has starred prominently in the Bianconeri attack following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. He has tallied three goals and as many assists in the league. With his contract expiring next summer, Juventus are keen to tie the player down to a new deal.
It appears the Argentinian is all set to put pen to paper on a new deal, which should ward off potential suitors for his services.
Dybala will look to play a key role as Juventus seek a return to title-winning ways this season.
#4 Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) - €50 million
Ousmane Dembele has largely underwhelmed since arriving at Barcelona on a big-money transfer in the summer of 2017.
Plagued by a combination of injuries and poor form, the talented Frenchman has managed only 119 appearances for the club thus far. Dembele was on the cusp of leaving Barcelona last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements, but eventually stayed put.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger enjoyed a renaissance of sorts last campaign, managing 44 appearances across competitions. He is currently out with an injury, but Dembele's future looks bright under new manager Xavi Hernandez.
The new Blaugrana manager has hinted that Dembele could be given the opportunity to prove himself. It remains to be seen if the club will offer the Frenchman an improved deal, considering their recent financial woes.
#3 Franck Kessie (AC Milan) - €55 million
Franck Kessie has been a key player for AC Milan since arriving at the club four years ago.
During this period, the Cote d'Ivoire midfielder has amassed almost 200 appearances across competitions, tallying almost 50 goal contributions. His tally of 13 goals and six assists last season was pivotal in Milan returning to the Champions League this campaign.
Apart from his goal contributions, the 24-year-old has been a colossus in central midfield for the Rossoneri. Considering his impact, Milan director Paolo Maldini said the club have been trying to extend Kessie's stay at the San Siro.
However, Kessie is seeking an annual salary of €7 million, which the Rossoneri are unwilling to match. It remains to be seen if that would be reason enough for Milan to part with one of their prized assets for free next summer.
#2 Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - €60 million
Paul Pogba has split opinion during his five-season stay at Manchester United. Despite his undeniable talent, the Frenchman has scored only 38 goals and provided 52 assists, returns that can be termed underwhelming.
The most common criticism of Pogba is that he has almost always been more impactful and consistent for France than he has been for the Red Devils. Pogba made a blistering start to the new campaign, registering seven assists in his first four league games.
However, the Frenchman has cooled off in recent games, fueling talks that United may no longer pursue a contract extension with him.
At 28, Pogba is still in the prime of his career and could excel with a change of scenery. However, he is running out of time to prove his worth at Manchester United.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - €160 million
Kylian Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the game at the moment.
Still only 22, the Frenchman has already won almost every major title on offer for club and country. The PSG marksman has tallied a staggering 200+ goal contributions (139 goals, 62 assists) for the club.
Mbappe was on the verge of joining Real Madrid this summer, but PSG managed to keep their prized asset for at least another year. However, the Frenchman has seemingly set his heart on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Mbappe has reportedly turned down multiple contract extension offers from PSG.
PSG, with their star-studded roster, are expected to win Ligue 1 on a canter. However, their success in the Champions League could be key in persuading Mbappe to stay on in Paris.
