Leeds United could repeat a familiar transfer trick this summer in targeting players with 12 months left on their contract. It’s a point at which clubs either need to agree fresh terms or cash in, otherwise they risk losing squad members for free - and that puts them in a weaker negotiating position.
Elland Road chiefs took advantage of such uncertainty when signing Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United for just £5million, while Ao Tanaka was into the final year of his deal when joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf. Leeds have regularly been linked with players in similar situations and it can prove a useful tactic.
Below is an XI of stars across the Premier League and Europe set to enter that period of contract uncertainty, according to Transfermarkt. Among them are players from Arsenal, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
1. GK: Noah Atubolu
Current club: Freiburg | Age: 24 | Transfermarkt market value: £21.6m | Getty Images
2. RB: Milan van Ewijk
Current club: Coventry City | Age: 25 | Transfermarkt market value: £19m | Getty Images
3. CB: Jhon Lucumi
Current club: Bologna | Age: 27 | Transfermarkt market value: £19m | Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
4. CB: Antonio Silva
Current club: Benfica | Age: 22 | Transfermarkt market value: £21.6m | AFP via Getty Images
5. LB: David Raum
Current club: RB Leipzig | Age: 28 | Transfermarkt market value: £21.6m | Getty Images
6. CM: Raphael Onyedika
Current club: Club Brugge | Age: 25 | Transfermarkt market value: £19.9m | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images