10 Premier League Players Your Team Could Grab on a Bosman This Summer

Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Steve McManaman – the list of high-profile stars who have left their clubs for nothing reads like a who’s who of European football.

The Bosman ruling is the bane of many owners and managers. Put a new deal on the table, with higher wages, or bank nothing a year or six months down the line? The choice can be a tricky one.

But looking back at when players were held virtually as prisoners by their clubs, left to ‘rot in the reserves’ if they asked for a move, the 1995 European Court of Justice ruling named after minor Belgian midfielder Jean-Marc Bosman has vastly expanded the options for players.

Today, managers and pundits alike have claimed that the mid-season market doesn’t represent value for money, with Premier League sides looking to hold onto their best players, so as not to disrupt their domestic and European ambitions.

Here we look at 10 of the biggest names those who could be heading for the exit doors of Premier League clubs for sweet FA.

Alexis Sanchez

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal opted to hold onto Alexis Sanchez rather than sell him on to their league rivals Manchester City, and risk losing him for nothing at all in the summer if a replacement didn’t come in.

We still have to wait and see if Arsenal cash in on the player in January, but with Sanchez’s side currently sitting 12 points of the Premier League summit, they’ll be hoping that the Chilean will give his all until the season’s end if a move doesn’t materialise.

So far, the decision to keep Sanchez hasn’t paid off, with the winger unable to reproduce anywhere near the spectacular form of last season.

The football betting world believe he is staying at the Emirates in January, with their number 7 odds on with some online bookmakers to remain at the club.

Ross Barkley

Another player who looked set for a move in the summer, Everton’s Ross Barkley was believed to be on the verge of joining champions Chelsea on deadline day, but opted to stay at Everton until he became fit once again.

Barkley, now 23, is still regarded as one of England’s biggest hopes, but injuries have put a potential move, and a world cup spot in jeopardy.

It’s still unknown if Chelsea and their city rivals Tottenham Hotspur will come in again for Barkley in January, but once fit it will be interesting to see if the player pushes for a move.

Emre Can

It’s not looking good for Liverpool in their fight to keep German international Emre Can.

Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken openly about wanting to keep the player, but with the likes of Juventus and Can’s former club Bayern Munich declaring an interest, it looks like Merseysiders are losing the fight.

Can has been in great form this season, cementing his place in Liverpool’s midfield, and may have gained even more suitors behind the scenes due to his impressive performances.

Mesut Ozil

Another German international who could be heading out for free in the summer is Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

Wenger has already stated that he would be willing to sell Ozil and his teammate Alexis Sanchez if they couldn’t agree new deals, with the former being heavily linked with Inter Milan and Manchester United.

Former manager Jose Mourinho once described Ozil as the ‘best number 10 in the world’ and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two reunite at United in the summer if the price was right and an adequate replacement can be brought to the Emirates.

Michael Carrick

After being made club captain at Manchester United this season, former Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick has been limited to just one appearance in all competitions this season.

Whether the midfielder will retire at the end of the season is yet to be confirmed, but with the likes of West Brom, Leicester City and Aston Villa reportedly interested, Carrick may look to extend his career for another season if he is guaranteed first team football.

Fernandinho

Despite being 32, Manchester City’s Fernandinho is proving invaluable to his side and his manager Pep Guardiola.

It’s recently been reported that both parties are looking to come to an agreement for the Brazilian midfielder to stay at the club for another season, with his manager claiming he was one of the best holding midfielders in the world.

Many online bookmakers are not even inviting bets on Fernandinho’s departure, with many believing the midfielder is set to stay put.

Jack Wilshere

Injury problems have plagued the career of one of English football’s great ever prospect.

Arsenal would have been looking to plan their future around Jack Wilshere a few years ago, but due to further injury problems that’ve followed, accompanied by a fairly unsuccessful loan spell at Bournemouth, have now made it look almost impossible for the midfielder to have a career at the Emirates in the long run.

The midfielder is currently linked with Spanish side Real Betis, so Premier League sides may have to act fast if they’re to lure the England international.

Marouane Fellaini

Jose Mourinho would have been concerned by Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s refusal of a new contract at Old Trafford, with only seven months remaining on his current deal.

Betting odds suggest that the player could be heading to Turkey with Besiktas, but it’s been claimed that United are prepared to let the midfielder go for free in the summer rather than sell him in January.

Fellaini’s United colleagues, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Ashley Young and Daley Blind all have an option of a further 12 months on top of their current contracts.

United are expected to take up these options to avoid a similar situation with Fellaini.

Yaya Toure

A player that has played such an instrumental part in Manchester City’s two Premier League title wins to date, Yaya Toure’s time at the Etihad Stadium finally looks like it’s coming to an end.

The Ivorian has been linked with moves to both Serie A and City’s sister club, New York City FC.

Toure was reportedly courted by West Ham United during the summer window, and we’ll have to wait and see if they, or another Premier League side come back in for him in January or on a free next summer.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Another player who could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer is Swede legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The player has only featured in a single game this season as he’s been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, and his contract at Manchester United is up in the summer.

He is due to play a big part in the back end of United’s Premier League and European campaigns, but it’s still unknown whether the player, now 35, will announce his retirement from the professional game.

With many free bet offers being promoted at present, punters across the UK will be skimming the transfer odds market to see which players could be heading to their club in January of the summer.

With Premier League sides not wanting to lose their key assets on a free in the summer, expect plenty of business to be conducted in the January window.