De Jong 5th, Konaté 2nd - The most valuable players with contracts that expire in 2026

Top 20 revealed 

The new 2025/26 season technically started yesterday and when the clock reverted back to 00:00 on July 1, thousands of contracts throughout world football suddenly entered the final year of their deals. While football is a multi-billion-Euro business, the unique nature of football contracts means that some of the biggest names in the sport can move clubs for absolutely free. And when we take a look at which players are set to run down their current deals this season, there are certainly some big names that may use their expiring contracts to either push through a move this summer or part ways with their current employers in 12 months time. 

When we take a look at the 20 most valuable players to now be in the final year of their contract, we can see a wide variety of players at different stages of their careers. While there are some older players, such as Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, there are also a number of younger players too. Whether it be Brighton’s Simon Adingra, Valencia’s in-demand defender Chrsthian Mosquera, PSV winger Johan Bakayoko or even Real Madrid star Raúl Asencio, some of European football’s most exciting talents run the risk of leaving their respective clubs for free next summer. 

There are also a number of big names that will likely be looking to take advantage of their contract situation to push through a move before the start of next season. For example, Jadon Sancho will almost certainly leave Manchester United before his contract expires, while the likes of Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović and AC Milan defender Theo Hernández are no strangers to the daily gossip columns during the summer transfer window. Similarly, Liverpool remain heavily linked with a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi and Man Utd have submitted multiple offers for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, knowing that both players are unlikely to sign extensions to their deals. 

The reason why Liverpool are pursuing Guéhi’s signature is most likely due to their own star defender, Ibrahima Konaté, sitting second on our list as the second most valuable player in the world with a contract that expires next summer. He sits just above compatriot Dayot Upamecano and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who are also in the midst of serious speculation of their futures at their respective clubs. And just below them is Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper and Champions League hero, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who could find himself in the market for a new club if he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 giants. 

However, the most notable name on the list is undoubtedly Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Once regarded by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis as a player that should demand a transfer fee of €200m, as things currently stand the Nigerian striker will be departing the Serie A club for nothing at all in 12 months time. It remains to be seen whether Osimhen and Napoli can negotiate a move for the striker this summer, but as things currently stand the 26-year-old goalscorer is the most valuable player in the world with a contract that expires in 2026.