Five expiring stars who could be sold in January
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 22 Sept 2021 19:54 BST
- 4 min read
The summer transfer window may have closed only a few weeks ago but attention has already turned to the January market.
One of the biggest aspects of the January transfer window revolves around the players with expiring contracts.
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All footballers whose deals run out at the end of the season will be able to talk with prospective new clubs in order to negotiate a Bosman transfer.
As a result, some clubs will look to sell players in January in order to avoid losing them on a free six months later.
Here are five players who could be sold for a small fee for this reason.
Bernd Leno (Arsenal)
Arsenal put Bernd Leno up for sale this past summer and the German himself was eager to leave the club in order to start a new challenge.
However, the Gunners were unable to find an adequate buyer and Leno stayed to see out the final year of his contract (although unofficially there have been some murmurings his deal could run until 2023).
Arsenal signed Leno’s successor in Aaron Ramsdale for £30 million from Sheffield United and the young Englishman has already established himself as Mikel Arteta’s number one.
The north Londoners will try again to find a buyer for Leno in January. Inter are interested but will prefer to wait until next summer.
Franck Kessie (Milan)
AC Milan are at grave risk of losing yet another key first-team player for nothing in 2022.
This past summer, the Rossoneri had to watch on as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu joined PSG and Inter, respectively, on Bosman transfers.
Kessie, an excellent player in central midfield for Milan, has stressed that he wants to sign a new contract but talks are close to collapsing.
Milan are understood to have offered him a new deal worth €6-6.5m a year which they will not go higher than. Kessie is demanding at least €8m.
It is now very possible that Milan will sell Kessie in January, especially following the emergence of young star Sandro Tonali in the same position.
There is no shortage of suitors for Kessie as every top Premier League club is interested, as is PSG.
Isco (Real Madrid)
Isco was regarded as one of the best players in Europe in his position up until a few years ago but his stock has fallen in recent seasons.
He failed to score a single goal in all competitions last campaign and he has failed to find the net this time around from his two starts.
Madrid tried to move Isco on in the summer but his high salary complicated any transfer. The Blancos will make another attempt in January, and there is lots of interest in Serie A.
Jeremie Boga (Sassuolo)
Jeremie Boga was once regarded as the jewel of Chelsea’s youth team but he never quite made it at Stamford Bridge.
Since then he has developed into one of the most exciting wingers in Serie A from outside the elite teams.
He has made it clear that he will not sign a new contract and he was close to a summer move to both Atalanta and Crystal Palace, turning down the latter.
In truth, he has the quality to play for a big team and Sassuolo may sell him to ensure they make some money in January.
Divock Origi (Liverpool)
Divock Origi’s place in Liverpool legend will always be secure after his exploits in the Champions League-winning success of 2019.
Now, though, is the time for Origi to get his career back on track and become a first-team player at a club that is more on his level.
Liverpool unsuccessfully attempted to offload him in the summer, despite heavy interest from Germany and Turkey.
The Reds will try again in January and any clubs who need an attacker could do a lot worse than a striker who was very impressive in the Champions League win over Milan last week.
Read more about: La Liga, Serie A, Premier League, Arsenal, Liverpool, Sassuolo, Bernd Leno, Divock Origi
