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The Bundesliga is often the breeding ground for young players to make a breakthrough and impress, but the league does have some big stars as well.
Bayern Munich have dominated the league, but along with other clubs in the league, they could lose some of their important players for nothing this summer.
Let's look at the top five players from the Bundesliga, who will be free agents in the summer transfer window.
#1 David Alaba
The Austrian international failed to agree to a new deal with Bayern Munich, even though he later admitted that he wanted to stay at the club. His departure will be a massive blow to the club considering he is still in his prime years.
Alaba has been a key player for Bayern in recent seasons and has transitioned well from his left-back role to a more central role. He can also play in midfield and is one of the best versatile players in the league.
The 28-year old was instrumental in Bayern Munich's treble win last season, and he is already attracting interest from a host of top European sides.
The likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid are said to be interested in the player and it remains to be seen where he will move once his contract expires in the summer.
#2 Jerome Boateng
Jerome Boateng is a stalwart in German football and the Bundesliga, and will probably go down in history as one of the greats. At 32, he does not have too many years of top-flight football left in him, but he continues to do a good job in the Bayern Munich backline.
The German defender's contract expires in the summer and the club have decided against offering him a new deal, which is a bit of a surprise. Bayern Munich want to add some young blood to their defence, but losing David Alaba and Boateng in the same window could have adverse effects.
Boateng has won everything in the Bundesliga and even has a World Cup medal. He will turn 33 later this year, but could still do a good job at any club if his playing time is managed effectively.
#3 Javi Martinez
The Spanish midfielder wanted to leave Bayern Munich last summer but has remained at the club to see out his contract. Although he will be a free agent in the summer, he has been touted to return to Athletic Bilbao and leave the Bundesliga.
There have been reports that Bayern will not offer Martinez a new deal. Martinez has attracted interest from China, and it remains to be seen if he will make the move to Asia in the ongoing transfer window.
Like Boateng, Martinez too has had a hugely successful spell at Bayern in the Bundesliga and is also a World Cup winner. He hasn’t played as much as he would have liked in recent years but is still a handy midfielder to have in the squad.
#4 Yannick Gerhardt
Yannick Gerhardt is expected to start a transfer tug of war in the summer when his contract expires, with a few Bundesliga sides said to be interested in the player.
Gerhardt moved to Wolfsburg in 2016 and signed a five-year deal, but there have been no signs of a contract extension yet. Manager Oliver Glasner prefers Xaver Schlager in midfield, and even though Gerhardt has seen more playing time this season, he is expected to leave in the summer.
Gerhardt has racked up more than 100 appearances for Wolfsburg in his five-year stint with the club and predominantly plays in central midfield. Still only 26, he still has a lot of football left in him and will hope to return to the German national setup. Gerhardt made his debut for the national team in 2016 but hasn’t featured for Die Mannschaft ever since.
#5 Robin Quaison
The Mainz forward is a handful for any defender on his day and can score a few goals if played in the right system. The problem is, Mainz have struggled for form and creativity this season, and that has affected Quaison’s goal output in the Bundesliga.
Quaison was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer when he had just one year left on his contract. The 27-year old has already stated his desire to leave after the end of the season and he could refind his form with several mid-table Bundesliga sides.
The Swedish international had his best season in the 2019-20 campaign. He scored 13 goals to help Mainz stave off relegation and finish 13th in the Bundesliga table. Since moving to the club in 2016, Quaison has made more than 100 appearances for his team and has scored 30 goals in the process.
He is a versatile player and can play as a secondary striker, a left winger, and can also lead the line from the front.
