Kylian Mbappé (Francie, 25 let)
With Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, he shares the position of the most valuable footballer in the world (180 million euros), according to Transfermarkt.com. The departure of PSG’s star striker has been rumored for years, but now he seems the most likely. Mbappé’s contract expires in June 2024, he has not extended it yet, and foreign sources are increasingly talking about the fact that this will not happen. According to his last words, he has not yet made up his mind. What does it mean?
???? Highest rated players in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023 (30+ apps):
???? Kylian Mbappé – 7.86
???? Jude Bellingham – 7.79
???? Harry Kane – 7.77
???? Antoine Griezmann – 7.71
???? Leroy Sané – 7.54 pic.twitter.com/7C55XZnyjv— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 3, 2024
Mbappé could leave Paris for free in the summer, moreover, he can already use the so-called Bosman rule in January, when six months or less before the contract expires he can “just” negotiate with possible interested parties. Real Madrid is a hot contender to win the star of recent seasons, but teams from England, led by Liverpool, are also getting into the game, demands accompanied by an astronomical salary will surely come from Saudi Arabia as well. Will Mbappé’s future be clear already in January, or will everything drag on during the spring until the Euros and the end of the season?
Toni Kroos (Germany, 33 years old), Luka Modric (Croatia, 38 years old)
They are a symbol of the highly successful era of Real Madrid, the reserve line with their names is among the best (not only) in the 21st century. According to coach Carlo Ancelotti, the future of both playmakers, who are out of contract at the end of June 2024, is in their hands. They can decide whether to leave or stay at the Santiago Bernabéu.
However, youngsters Jude Bellingham or Aurélien Tchouaméni are increasingly pushing for their place, and there are others in the crowd. For Kroos, the home Euro is certainly an attraction, but what will happen after the season remains to be seen. Modrič already rejected clubs from Saudi Arabia in the summer, it is difficult to estimate whether he will resist this time as well. In any case, it is possible that we are watching the last six months of their dancing in White Ballet uniforms.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric from Real Madrid during the Champions League match at Manchester City
Adrien Rabiot (Francie, 28 let)
Juventus secured the French midfielder with a one-year contract extension in the summer, but both sides are still waiting for further negotiations. According to the Italian media, Rabiot is suddenly close to signing a new contract, while a few weeks ago the scenario of leaving for another elite European competition was more likely.
Recently, Rabiot has turned in decent performances that are close to what has been expected of him for many years. Manchester United, for example, showed interest in him in the past.
Photo: Massimo Pinca, Reuters
Adrien Rabiot (left) of Juventus celebrates a goal with Dušan Vlahovič.
Sheraldo Becker (Surinam, 29 let)
Last season, the native of Amsterdam shone in the Union Berlin jersey, scored 11 goals in the Bundesliga, added 7 assists and led the club to the Champions League. In the capital, they have already come to terms with the fact that they will not be able to keep their elite striker for long.
In the current year, however, the situation is completely different. Becker was injured, he has not yet scored in the league, he only scored goals in the Champions League and the Cup. His performance went down like the entire Union, but he can still be an option for a team that will be looking for a striker in the winter or summer. The latest reports speak of advanced negotiations with Real Sociedad, Becker should leave this winter and well below his market value.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Sheraldo Becker of Union Berlin during the Bundesliga match against Bochum.
Other notable names
Pole Piotr Zielinski is likely to leave Napoli soon, interest is in Atlético Madrid’s full-back Maria Hermosa. The situation at Manchester United is interesting, where Anthony Martial’s contract expires in the summer. However, he has an option for an extension in his contract.
The Czech full-back Vladimír Coufal, who should not be satisfied with what West Ham offers him, is a lot to deal with. His partner Ben Johnson is also out of contract. That is definitely not all, Thiago, Koke, Jorginho, Marco Reus, Keylor Navas or Ángel Di María also have to deal with the future.
