The Best 2025 Free Agents Who Can Start Negotiating Transfers in January

The January transfer window is upon us, and players who become free agents may start making deals with other teams. Players who don’t wish to remain with their current clubs are allowed to negotiate with other prospects during the Summer. 

As a result, this window becomes a hotbed of conversation, gossip and rumours about players either going a certain way or extending their stay. Most players who are keen on moving like to start dealing with other clubs in January, as it allows them to be mentally prepared to move when the time comes.

In this listicle, we take a look at the top ten free agents who can start negotiating in January:

10. Leroy Sané

Winger Leroy Sané, who has not quite been the player at Bayern Munich that he was at Manchester City, comes to the end of his current contract. However, his club’s management will be watching his form in the upcoming months if they are to offer him an extension. 

Nonetheless, at 28, Sané has a lot of options at hand and could even return to the Premier League, having recently admitted how much he enjoyed it. Former side Manchester City could be in the market as well, given that the German served them exceptionally well till 2020.

9. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Brazilian legend Neymar, who is one of the world’s best players, also becomes a free agent soon. He plies his trade with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia at the moment but has been plagued with several injuries ever since he arrived in the country from Paris Saint-Germain. 

It’s widely expected that the Saudi club would cut him loose this Summer in order to reduce their wage expenditure. If that happens, Neymar could end up signing a deal with a new club amid links with Santos in Brazil. Other clubs in Europe will eagerly watch this situation unfold.

8. Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min is another high-profile player who’ll be a free agent in 2025. Son is known for his link-up play with other attackers on the Spurs side, and he reached the height of his powers when Harry Kane was still at the club. Ever since Kane’s departure, Son has been instrumental in leading the Spurs attack almost singlehandedly.

Son was expected to extend his contract with the Spurs, but there have been few talks about that happening. Tottenham have the option of triggering the one-year extension clause in his contract. If Son does stay at the club, he may choose to go his own way in the Summer of 2026.

7. Alphonso Davies

One of the most talked-about players recently, Alphonso Davies, has been on the sidelines of moving away from Bayern Munich. This has been the case ever since news became public that he had no intention of extending his contract.

The likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have expressed their desire to sign him, with Bayern even offering him a lucrative extension. If he chooses, Davies could remain at Bayern and continue his ecstatic runs, supplying dangerous balls into the box. He is one of the best left-backs in the world at the moment.

6. Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich, who is known to be one of the oldest and most loyal servants of Bayern Munich, is coming to the end of his ongoing contract. However, as per grapevine, Kimmich will be keen on extending his stay with the Bavarians and eventually retire from the club with legendary status attached.

Kimmich is known for his versatility in playing as a defensive midfielder and defender. He can operate with precision in the fullback position and provide his more attack-minded teammates with piercing crosses and passes. He is just 29 years old, which means that he’s at the peak of his powers and will be keen on continuing with a top club.

5. Lionel Messi

The legendary Lionel Messi becomes a free agent in the Summer of 2025, but he’s expected to stay put at Inter Miami for at least one more season. Messi is among the biggest names on this list. It is, however, relatively well-known that he’s at the twilight of his career and merely marking time before retirement. 

With the previous MLS season having come to an end, Messi will be expected to put pen on paper and extend his contract for another season.

4. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool see their star right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold running out of his existing contract in the Summer. He’s expected to join Real Madrid, where his friend Jude Bellingham plays. However, the Reds will surely offer Alexander-Arnold an extension; it will be up to him to either accept or reject it.

Alexander-Arnold is one of the best players in his position in the world, and his consistent performances have shown why he’s so highly rated. He is known to be equally effective in defence as in attack, running up and down the flanks with ease. While he can supply dangerous balls via crosses, his defending, too, is top-notch.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is one of the biggest names on this list. The midfield maestro, known for his creative skills with the ball, comes to the end of his current contract in 2025. At 33, De Bruyne may feel that lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia could be the right pick for him.

De Bruyne suffered from injuries this season. He saw Manchester City drop points at an alarming rate, so much so that retaining the Premier League title remains a distant dream. Having won everything there is to win in European football, De Bruyne may take the plunge and move elsewhere.

2. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool have a lot of big worries lying ahead as centre-back Virgil van Dijk runs out of his ongoing contract this Summer. He can start negotiating offers from other clubs from January, although it looks increasingly like the Reds will offer him an extension.

Van Dijk is a true leader at Liverpool and has constantly shown his worth to their supporters and management. The Dutchman is known to be brilliant with the ball at his feet as well as without it. Most importantly, his positioning and marking are renowned for being world-class.

1. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is undeniably the biggest player to become a free agent in the 2025 Summer transfer window. Signed by Liverpool from Roma in 2017, he’s been one of the brightest spots in the Liverpool squad in their recent successes. His versatility on the wings, as well as brilliant positional and goalscoring skills, make him a player who will be latched up by any team.

There are reportedly quite a few offers for Salah from teams in the Saudi Pro League, and he has not denied any of them publicly. However, Liverpool are keen on extending his stay at the club to help them win more trophies. 

Meanwhile, this contract situation has not distracted Salah in the least, as he continues to be in prolific form. He leads the Premier League charts with 18 goals.