Expiring contract XI: THREE bonafide Premier League greats, the most expensive defensive ever and an... (original) (raw)

Liverpool's fast start to the new season and quick adaptation to Arne Slot's approach has, for the time being, averted attention away from a trio of looming contract spectres.

The ongoing contractual situations of three of their star players; Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has certainly been a point of discussion in the first few weeks of the new term.

But many Reds fans still harbour hopes of starting the 2025-26 season with all three of their world-class performers. The realists among them might foresee a future without one or even two of them. Losing the bunch is, frankly, inconceivable.

Liverpool fans are not the only set of supporters in world football sweating over the future of their star names as January approaches and soon-to-be free agents are permitted to agree terms with any club of their choosing.

Imagine, for a moment, hypothetical club A, with unlimited resources, the prestige to attract football's elite players and a peculiar penchant for exclusively making free signings. Essentially a Football Manager challenge only possible with the in-game editor. Said club might want to take note of this starting XI that could be constructed next summer.

Mohamed Salah (left) and Virgil van Dijk (right) are two of the Liverpool stars with contracts expiring in 2025

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min's contract runs out next summer but the club retains an option to extend it for another 12 months

Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne (right) was linked with a move away from the Etihad last summer

GK: Manuel Neuer

The legendary goalkeeper finally called time on his international career after Germany's exit from Euro 2024. After making 124 appearances, and drawing the ire of his countryman Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the 38-year-old decided to turn his attention to club football.

And Neuer, despite his age, continues to be the man between the sticks for Bayern Munich, who have their sights on returning to their former glories.

The shotstopper reportedly has no intention of making this season his last in the game and according to Bild, he and the club will sit down for contract discussion in the spring. Clearly they're not fearful of losing him to anyone.

The German outlet also claim that Neuer hasn't even completely ruled out returning to the national team in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Alternatives: Andriy Lunin, Alex Meret

Manuel Neuer finally called time on his international career after Germany's exit from the European Championship

RWB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

If Liverpool fans were given a enhanced Sophie's Choice and forced to pick from the expiring-contract trinity, Alexander-Arnold would be the selection.

The 25-year-old has started the season in magnificent form as he enters his prime years.

Trent has been a topic of discussion for many seasons now, first lauded for his all-action full-back play and then derided for his poor defending. Finally, it appears the footballing world has accepted him for what he is: a supremely gifted footballer possessing an ability rarely seen.

Real Madrid are reportedly at the front of the queue of suitors and Alexander-Arnold's bromance with Jude Bellingham will make Reds fans increasingly uneasy while no new deal has been confirmed.

The expectation is that he'll pen a new contract and emulate his hero Steven Gerrard in one day captaining his boyhood club. But Liverpool have been here before, in 1999. And on that occasion, Steve McManaman left for the Spanish capital.

Alternatives: Denzel Dumfries, Kyle Walker-Peters, Davide Calabria

Trent Alexander-Arnold was linked with a move to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window

CB: Virgil van Dijk, Jonathan Tah, Harry Maguire

A centre-back pairing of Van Dijk and Tah would instantly give your team one of the meanest defences in any division - adding Harry Maguire to it certainly raises questions but it's formidable nonetheless.

Van Dijk remains one of the best centre-backs in the world after regaining his form following an ACL injury in 2021.

Having just turned 33, Van Dijk still has plenty left to give and while on international duty he appeared to state his desire to extend his stay at Anfield. He told local media: 'At both teams, I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader, and I certainly want to remain that for the next two years.'

Tah meanwhile, missed just one games as Xabi Alonso's all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side captured their first Bundesliga title last term. The Spaniard has managed to retain most of his key contributors, avoiding the exodus many feared.

That instead may come next term, with the 28-year-old Tah first out the door and likely headed to the Allianz Arena and Bayern Munich.

Harry Maguire, who remains the most expensive defender in history, completes the central-defensive unit as he enters the final few months of a strange Manchester United career.

There is still a possibly that he remains at Old Trafford on lower wages but it looks to be best for both parties to end their time together this summer. The 31-year-old came close to joining West Ham in 2023 but under new management, that prospect appears remote.

Despite lapses in concentration and ball-playing deficiencies, Maguire can still make a big impact for a team that plays to his strengths. Let's see if he can find the right one next term.

Alternatives: Victor Lindelof, Olivier Boscagli, Eric Dier

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah (right) played all but one of the side's games as they went unbeaten and won the Bundesliga last season

Harry Maguire is still the most expensive defender in history following his arrival from Leicester

LWB: Alphonso Davies

Bayern Munich didn't take too kindly to Alphonso Davies' reluctance to sign a contract extension 2023. The Canadian was a breakout star when the German giants won their sixth European Cup in 2021.

But three years on, his time in Bavaria looks set to be drawing to an end. According to his agent Nick Huoseh, Davies was close to a new deal before the Bayern hierarchy was replaced.

The 23-year-old started Bayern's opening game of the season, the first under new boss Vincent Kompany, but he was made to watch on as an unused substitute as the side secured a win and a clean sheet in their next outing.

Alternatives: Ferland Mendy, Leif Davies, Sergio Reguilon, Tyrick Mitchell

Relations between Alphonso Davies camp and Bayern Munich have not always been cordial during negotiations over a new contract

CM: Kevin De Bruyne, Joshua Kimmich

It wasn't supposed to go this way for Kimmich and Bayern. Admittedly unfair comparison were with Philipp Lahm when he first joined the club from RB Leipzig in 2015.

A versatile defender with a superb passing range and poise on the field, Kimmich looked set to wear the red of Bayern until at least the year 2050 or something. In the club's final game before the international break, Thomas Muller became Bayern's all-time appearance maker with 710 games.

That is not a record Kimmich will be breaking as he looks all-but guaranteed to leave the Allianz Arena at the end of his current contract. Kimmich is currently without an agent and though he's getting support and advice, interested clubs will have to directly contact him.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are on the list of clubs Kimmich will consider joining alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid.

City may be in need of midfield reinforcements if their talisman De Bruyne opts to call time on his spell at the Etihad. After missing the first half of the last campaign with a hamstring injury, the 33-year-old has begun this term in outstanding fashion. Reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated.

A six-time Premier League champion and two-time Player of the Year, he has already secured his place among the best players to ever grace the division.

Alternatives: Thomas Partey, Angel Gomes, Frank Anguissa, Sean Longstaff

Joshua Kimmich (left) will reportedly consider joining Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and the two Spanish giants this summer

RW: Mohamed Salah

Speaking of Premier League legends, Mohamed Salah may have fewer titles than De Bruyne but his impact of the English top-flight been just as much profound. Salah could climb as high as sixth in the Premier League's all-time scoring charts by the end of the season.

Give him a couple more and you wouldn't bet against him becoming only the fourth player to reach a double century. The Egyptian might by 32-years-old but his Cristiano Ronaldo-esque discipline means he's likely to keep performing at the top level for several seasons to come.

Like Van Dijk, Salah appeared to indicate that he'd be willing to extend his stay at Anfield beyond its eighth year, in revealing that no one at the club had spoken to him about a new deal.

Alternatives: Leroy Sane, Paulo Dybala

Mohamed Salah has started the season in red hot form with three goals and three assists from the first three games

LW: Neymar

It is strange learning that Neymar and Salah are the same age. In fact, the Brazilian is eight months Salah's senior and will be 33 before his eye-watering contract, fit with unspeakable perks, comes to an end next summer.

If Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr marked the beginning of the Saudi Pro League splurge, Al-Hilal's capture of Neymar marked the high-water mark. The former PSG forward moved in a deal worth £78million.

Unfortunately for the player, he suffered an ACL injury in only his fifth game for the club and is yet to return to action. Whether Neymar will have the appetite to keep playing beyond the end of he current campaign.

Alternative: Rayan Cherki

Neymar (right) endured a heartbreaking first year with Al-Hilal as he suffered an ACL injury in only five games into the season

ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The legend - if it can be described as such - of Calvert-Lewin was built during the 2019-20 season when he scored 13 goals and perhaps more shockingly, made 36 league appearances.

The following season, he improved on his tally and scored 16 times, though his league appearances reduced to 33. A healthy number, nothing to worry about.

Then came the 2021-22 campaign when two prolonged spells out restricted him to just 17 games in the top-flight. In fairness to the England international, his injury record improved markedly last term. The only problem was that goals were a little harder to come by.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin look set to end his eight-year stay on Merseyside at the end of this campaign

The players include four Premier League title winners, eight Champions League winners and one World Cup champion

So far this term, the 27-year-old has notched one goal from the opening three games. If he can stay fit, Calvert-Lewin is sure to have suitors when he hits the free market next summer.

Unfortunately for the Everton faithful, that's likely to see him depart Goodison at the end of the season.

Alternatives: Jonathan David, Callum Wilson