The top players who will be out of contract this summer - and who they might join
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St-Germain)
Ibrahimovic is clearly desperate to move to the Premier League, making weekly statements about how he has always wanted to discover if he really can do it on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke. He may be 34, but Ibrahimovic has still got it – and he would send ticket sales at any club through the roof.
Potential destination: West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool
John Terry (Chelsea)
After 18 years at Chelsea it is time for the club’s ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ to move on to pastures new. Terry might be tempted by a move to America, but he has been strongly linked with a move to China where he has made two high-profile visits in recent years.
Potential destination: MLS, Chinese Super League, PSG, Inter
Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Carrick might be the sort of player that is only fully appreciated once he has retired. In a decade at Old Trafford he has won five Premier League and one Champions League titles but he has so far not been offered a new deal. Carrick says he is relaxed about the future, and he may yet be offered an extension.
Potential destination: Manchester United, Newcastle
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
It is easy to forget that Arteta is still Arsenal’s captain, so little have we seen of him this season. He has made just 13 appearances during an injury-ravaged campaign and is set to leave this summer – although his potential as a coach means Arsene Wenger might still keep him on the staff if he retires from playing – although Pep Guardiola may offer him a similar role at Manchester City.
Potential destination: Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, Everton
Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, on loan from AC Milan)
Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Torres has endured a mixed time since his big-money move to Stamford Bridge in 2011, and his contract with AC Milan expires this summer. A recent run of form during his loan spell at Atletico Madrid could convince them to make his loan permanent, but a spell abroad is more likely.
Potential destination: MLS, Chinese Super League, Atletico Madrid
Francesco Totti (Roma)
Totti is the definition of a one-club man but that may be put to the test this summer. The Roma captain is aged 39 now, and after more than 750 appearances and 300 goals speculation is rife he will move on – although he could keep his status as a one-club man and retire from all football.
Potential destination: MLS, Chinese Super League, Roma, Leicester
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
It is easy to forget that Arteta is still Arsenal’s captain, so little have we seen of him this season. He has made just 13 appearances during an injury-ravaged campaign and is set to leave this summer – although his potential as a coach means Arsene Wenger might still keep him on the staff if he retires from playing – although Pep Guardiola may offer him a similar role at Manchester City.
Potential destination: Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, Everton
Patrice Evra (Juventus)
Manchester United have certainly missed Evra since his departure in 2014, with Juventus benefitting from his influence and personality. His two-year contract in Turin expires this summer, and although Juventus may offer him a new deal his future is far from secure.
Potential destination: Juventus, MLS, Ligue 1
Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal)
Flamini is already preparing for a life outside of football with his energy company GF Biochemicals, which is estimated by some to be worth £20bn. Yet aged 32 he still feels he has more to offer on the pitch, although Arsenal are unlikely to offer him a contract extension. A return to France may be most likely.
Potential destination: Ligue 1, MLS
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
It is telling that in a decade at Arsenal, Rosicky has made just 107 Premier League starts. Injuries have horribly disrupted his career, and his time at The Emirates is set to come to an end this summer. Rosicky has not yet said if he will carry on at the age of 35, and a return to the Czech Republic might be most likely.
Potential destination: Czech Liga
Emmanuel Adebayor (Crystal Palace)
After starting with such great promise it appears Emmanuel Adebayor’s time at Crystal Palace is fizzling out somewhat. Twice in his last five games Alan Pardew has decided to take Adebayor off at half-time and it remains to be seen if he will be offered a new deal as the Togolese’s future looks unclear again.
Potential destination: Crystal Palace, Ligue 1
Kolo Toure (Liverpool)
He may be a true cult hero but Toure’s time at Liverpool is likely to come to an end this summer – although Toure himself has said he is fighting for a new deal. A total of 19 appearances so far this season means he clearly has something to offer and having just turned 35 he could look to continue his career.
Potential destination: Liverpool, Ligue 1
Sylvain Distin (Bournemouth)
You may not know this, but Distin holds the record for the most appearances by a foreign outfield player in Premier League history, with 469. Now, though, at the age of 38, his run may come to an end. That said, his experience has proved invaluable at Bournemouth and he may yet win a new deal.
Potential destination: Bournemouth, Ligue 1
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