The game at
the very top level is fast approaching an age whereby prudence pays.
Although there is a deal of scepticism as to whether UEFA can fully
enforce their stringent Financial Fair Play rules, there is a definite
sea change afoot.
With
that in mind, the rise in pre-contract agreements could be a steep one
in the coming years. Free transfers are nothing new - and do cost clubs
hefty amounts in inflated sign-on fees - with some managers hoping to
get business done early.
And
in truth, those in the Premier League are planning for next August now.
There are a raft of players from across the world who are available to
sign ahead of the 2015-16 season; scouts up and down the country try to
remain two steps ahead - forever looking two transfer windows in front
of themselves. If they’re not looking, others certainly are.
Simply put, a
club can talk to any player who plies his trade in another country out
of contract in June 2015 from New Year's Day about signing at the end of
this season. They can put pen to paper on a deal, with a target
committing to a contract before his current one expires. Dani Alves, for
example, is available should Chelsea feel the need for another right
back, but Steven Gerrard - also a free agent in seven months - is off
limits to domestic rivals for now.
So, who could they be scouting as we count down to January? Sportsmail takes
a look at the available stars on pre-contract agreements in two months’
time - firstly in an XI format, and then with a collection of notable
others.
Sergio Romero (Sampdoria)
Interest: Manchester United, Liverpool
The
man who saved two Holland penalties in the World Cup semi-final could
well be leaving Serie A at the end of this season. Argentina's stopper -
who was shortlisted for the Golden Glove award in Brazil - would be
very handy for most sides. One wonders whether Brendan Rodgers fancies
deploying someone down at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Sergio Romero was Argentina's goalkeeper during the 2014 World Cup and plays for Serie A's Sampdoria
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Interest: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham
Has
already made it clear that he won’t be staying at the Nou Camp beyond
his current contract and would represent an exciting prospect for almost
every side in Europe. A veteran of the Champions League but still with
the vibrancy a full back in England requires, the Brazilian will have
many suitors.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Interest: Manchester United, Manchester City
Whether
the Old Lady’s skipper pens new terms in Turin remains to be seen - it
certainly isn’t beyond the realm of possibility - but the central
defender will have a few in his ear. With Juventus having won the last
three titles - a fourth appears to be on its way - Chiellini may fancy a
change, particularly given he’s only played in Serie A.
Dani Alves has already made it clear that he won't be staying at Barcelona beyond his current deal
Basle central defender Fabian Schar was partly responsible for Mario Balotelli's dismal night in Switzerland
THE DOMESTIC STARS WHO COULD INTEREST THOSE ABROAD
John
Terry, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Danny Ings, Connor Wickham, Morgan
Amalfitano, James Milner, Glen Johnson, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu
Flamini, Bryan Ruiz, Mark Noble, Ron Vlaar, Steven Gerrard, Mikel
Arteta, Winston Reid, Fabian Delph, Youssuf Mulumbu, Maya Yoshida,
Claudio Yaco
Fabian Schar (FC Basle)
Interest: Arsenal
One
of the emerging central defenders in Europe and with designs of bigger
things. Excellent against Liverpool in the continent’s premier
competition only a matter of weeks ago and has plenty of admirers. Only
22 so would require a compensation fee to be paid, but that would come
out at less than Basle’s asking price otherwise.
Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo)
Interest: Tottenham
Uruguay’s
chosen left back during the summer World Cup, Pereira was the man to
continue playing despite a heavy clash with Raheem Sterling in England’s
group stage defeat. Loves to gallop forward.
Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira played on despite suffering after a heavy clash with Raheem Sterling in Brazil
Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Interest: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City
The
real standout player available to clubs who want to get their business
done swiftly. It’s no secret as to Khedira’s obvious ability - with
Arsenal interested in the central midfielder - and, although his wages
will undoubtedly be high, not many would pass up the opportunity to add
the German.
Rasmus Elm (CSKA Moscow)
Interest: Arsenal, Manchester United
Perhaps
someone who will peak the interest of those beneath the top six in the
Premier League, Elm is a classy midfielder on the ball but also has a
height advantage over most. Those attributes - plus possessing an
excellent engine - make the Swede desirable.
Khedira is out of contract at Real Madrid this summer and is wanted by a host of clubs, including Arsenal
Rasmus Elm (pictured celebrating while playing for Sweden against Germany) has all the attributes
Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro)
Interest: Liverpool, Tottenham
Liverpool
failed to sign the winger last January because Dnipro dug their heels
in, but the Ukrainian side must be regretting that now. Interest is high
for the jinking creator and he is certain to leave on a free. It’s a
matter of who gets there first.
Andre Ayew (Marseille)
Interest: Liverpool, West Ham
Always
one who is talked about when a window comes around, and January will be
no different. Marseille won’t see any value in taking the money and
running, so it’ll be interesting to see who courts the Ghanaian
livewire.
Yevhen Konoplyanka (left, against England's Kyle Walker in 2013) almost joined Liverpool last January
Eduardo Vargas is on loan at Queens Park Rangers from Rafa Benitez's Napoli in Serie A
Eduardo Vargas (Napoli, on loan at Queens Park Rangers)
Interest: QPR, Arsenal
Is
QPR merely a shop window for the Chilean? Perhaps, perhaps not. Harry
Redknapp will be well aware Vargas is out of contract and - should
Rangers have designs of consolidating in the Premier League, they could
do a lot worse than to get this one sorted. The one thing that may work
against them is question marks over which division they’ll be in next
year.
Luiz Adriano (Shakhta Donetsk)
Interest: Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool
Simply
put, the striker cannot stop scoring. It’s nine (yes, nine) goals in
the Champions League already, including five away at BATE Borisov. He is
a late developer and an unknown commodity but had a hand in two on his
Brazil debut against Turkey on Wednesday night.
The Shakhtar Donetsk striker can't stop scoring in the Champions League - he has nine already this term
AND HERE ARE SOME NOTABLE OTHERS...
Stipe Pletikosa (FC Rostov)
At
35, the goalkeeper - with 114 caps for Croatia before retiring from
international football - may be looking for one last move before he
calls it a day for good. Would surely only act as a No 2, but definitely
someone who could act as reliable cover.
Nigel De Jong (AC Milan)
Looking
for that little bit of added steel in midfield? De Jong may well be
your man. A fierce competitor and someone who Manchester City have
missed a touch this season.
Maxi Pereira (Benfica)
Bombs forward from right back and one of the more exuberant fliers to watch in Europe.
Maxi Pereira (in action for Benfica against Monaco) is lightning and exciting to watch on the right
Ignazio Abate (AC Milan)
Played in Italy's back four during the World Cup and did so impressively. A good age at 28.
Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon)
Has
never scored enough goals given his position and the quality he has,
but would still provide a touch of class to a range of sides.
Andre-Pierre Gignac (Marseille)
Not keen on signing a new deal, with the striker - linked with Arsenal and Newcastle - seemingly on his way.
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