 Chelsea are still trying to re-negotiate on Jorginho but there could be no shortage of takers while Keita would be a hugely attractive option. Even though football's gravy train is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to TV deals, commercial tie-ups, transfer fees and contracts in general, clubs appear to be ready to trim back certain areas. There are a host of other big names whose contracts are coming to an end in 2023 but they include an extension option - and the grass might not be greener on the othe){kind=link}
JOHN CROSS COLUMN: Wilfried Zaha, Jorginho, Youri Tielemans, Ilkay Gundogan, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are all available for free in the summer and that could spell chaos
The transfer market could see a major shift next summer.
There are some big names out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jorginho, Youri Tielemans, Ilkay Gundogan, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino potentially up for grabs. That is a highly unusual state of affairs with quite so many big, established names on the market as free agents in one window and several big Premier League clubs are watching developments closely.
But the market is also shifting for the players because the huge money once on offer to free agents is appearing to dry up. Big names would often be guaranteed an eye-watering package if they were out of contract with a signing-on fee, bonuses and a far bigger deal as the money clubs saved on a transfer fee would be redirected towards the player and his representatives.
However, that is changing and, while free agents remain as hot properties, they are unlikely to get the mega money which was once on offer. Players are also tending to run down contracts not so much to get huge deals but more because they then have a pick of their clubs.