Friday 24 November 2017 08:56, UK
With Black Friday sales hitting the streets, will Premier League clubs seek cut-price deals this January transfer window to offload players whose contracts expire this summer?
A host of players' current contracts run out at the end of the season, meaning clubs could agree bargain deals this January rather than face the prospect of losing these players on a free this summer.
With players also having the option of agreeing a pre-contract elsewhere in Europe with six months left on their deal, it could be the case that clubs will force through moves in two months' time.
Here, we take a look at who could leave on the cheap in the upcoming transfer window from the Premier League and beyond...
After failing with a Deadline Day bid for Alexis Sanchez back in August, could Manchester City make another move for the Arsenal forward in January? City boss Pep Guardiola downplayed any speculation, but Arsenal could look to cash in if the Chile forward refuses to extend his contract.
Mesut Ozil has been linked with cut-price moves to Barcelona and Manchester United in January, should the Germany international opt to shun any new deal on the table at the Emirates, while Jack Wilshere has been urged to move abroad by Paul Merson to kick-start his stuttering career.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have the option to keep Juan Mata at the club until 2019, but there has been little talk of contract extensions at Old Trafford - though the Spain international told ESPN FC he was open to signing a new long-term deal.
Luke Shaw and Daley Blind have been periphery figures for United this season. Shaw has played just 47 minutes in the Carabao Cup this campaign, and admitted last month he would be keen to work under Mauricio Pochettino once again. Blind has been linked with a January move to Fenerbahce, who could be able to guarantee the 27-year-old more first-team football.
Elsewhere, Liverpool midfielder Emre Can said he was flattered by interest from Italian champions Juventus last month, and with the midfielder admitting he was unsure of what the future holds at Anfield, rumours of a move away will persist as we move towards the January transfer window.
Fernandinho continues to be a rock in midfield for Manchester City, but the club are yet to secure his services beyond the end of the season, while Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm also sees his deal run out in June.
Robert Huth experienced the heights of Premier League glory with Leicester City in the 2015/16 campaign, but the centre-back could be able to sign a pre-contract deal elsewhere in January, while Crystal Palace right-back Joel Ward could be considering the same possibility.
Other players who see their contract run out in the summer include Everton midfielder Ross Barkley - who will be considering his options following his infamous Chelsea U-turn on Deadline Day - and Marouane Fellaini, who has been locked in contract talks with United since last season.
Lionel Messi is yet to sign on the dotted line at Barcelona, and while contract talks rumble on, there will be a slither of hope for prospective clubs who can meet his wage demands.
Last week, La Liga's president Javier Tebas claimed Messi has signed a new deal, while Barca CEO Oscar Grau said they would offer him a new lifetime deal, but questions still linger over whether any necessary paperwork has been signed.
Elsewhere, Inter Milan and Juventus are reportedly battling it out for the signature of Jose Gimenez, who is also a Liverpool transfer target, while Atletico Madrid team-mate Juanfran also sees his contract expiring next summer.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Schalke's Leon Goretzka, though the Gunners face competition from Barcelona for the Germany international, while Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all reportedly have their eyes on Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam.
Veteran Bayern Munich duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery could leave the German champions on the cheap in January, while former Liverpool players Pepe Reina and Mario Balotelli are also nearing the end of their deals at Napoli and Nice respectively.
Juventus and Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is a rumoured target of champions Chelsea, and then there's 22-year-old Schalke midfielder Max Meyer, who is said to be on Liverpool's radar.
