Five Expiring Contracts That Could Shape the Summer Transfer Window

The 2026 summer transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory, with a number of high-profile players set to become free agents when their contracts expire. The five players featured below are all approaching the end of their current deals and, while some may have the option of a further extension at their respective clubs, none of those options have yet been triggered. Whether that changes before the window opens remains to be seen, but for now, each of these players represents a potentially significant acquisition at no transfer cost.

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Bernardo Silva

The amount of silverware that Silva has amassed at Manchester City since his move from Monaco is staggering. The energetic midfielder has won the Premier League on six occasions, while also lifting the FA Cup twice, the EFL Cup four times, and also winning the Club World Cup and UEFA Champions League. The 31-year-old is still an integral part of the Manchester City team that, although not having the best season by their high standards, are still fighting to win a treble this season. It has been reported within the last week that Silva will not renew his contract at Man City and will become one of the most sought-after free agents in 2026.

Something that clubs would likely look at with free agents who are over 30 is their physical metrics, but that is of no concern to Bernardo, who still ranks in the 92nd percentile of Premier League centre midfielders in terms of total distance covered in games. This underlines the midfielder's energy, especially playing in a Pep Guardiola team that still rank first in time of possession in the Premier League. Bernardo still excels in the areas you would expect him to, currently posting a Passing Grade of just shy of 80, with his Passing Under Pressure Grade rising even higher, and his first touch remains masterful with a Ball Control Grade of 86.3. Silva's Overall Grade is currently sat at 65.2, which is being weighed down by a below-par Duel Grade of 57.2 and a Shooting Grade of 59.4, neither of which will concern too many potential new managers, as those are not aspects of Silva's game that you would expect to stand out.

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Harry Wilson

Fans of the Premier League will not be surprised by this one. Once considered a super sub for Fulham due to his match-winning exploits off the bench, Wilson has grown into one of the first names on the team sheet for Fulham this season. The Welshman has amassed 16 goal contributions for the Cottagers, including 10 goals, already his best scoring return in the Premier League. This is no surprise when you look at his Shooting Grade; his grade of 91.0 is our highest Shooting Grade in the Premier League and within the top 10 of Shooting Grades across the big five European leagues.

Welsh fans have long looked at Wilson as a star, and the rest of the footballing world is starting to catch up. The question is whether Wilson stays at a club where he is comfortable and has become their star man, or whether an opportunity to join a team playing in European competition arises and tempts the Welshman to test himself at the highest level.

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Malang Sarr

Sarr is perhaps a surprising name on this list given his inconspicuous time at Chelsea. The defender played just eight times during four years at the Blues, a period in which he also had three loan spells and made just 29 appearances in total. Despite that, the now 27-year-old is having a stellar season in Ligue 1, posting an Overall Grade of 88.4 and playing a vital role in an unlikely title challenge for his club Lens. He has a number of standout grades, including a 1v1 Defending Grade of 90.7 and a 50/50 Grade of 92.5. An excellent weekly Overall Grade of 82.0 against PSG could also give top clubs confidence that Sarr is ready to make the step up to the elite level in Europe. Sarr's physical profile also stands out, placing him in the 88th percentile of raw athleticism for left centre-backs in the league, with a top speed of 32.8 km/h particularly impressive for the position.

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Luka Modrić

In 2026, Luka Modrić is still making this list in his 40s, and it could be argued that he is having the best season of his career. Modrić has accumulated a number of elite grades this season, resulting in an Overall Grade of 91.2, underpinned by a near-perfect Passing Grade of 98.3. While, at 40, his physical metrics are not what they once were, his creativity and quality still stand out. Modrić has created an average of 1.6 chances per game this season and is completing 91% of his passes. His Overall Grade of 91.2 ranks first among all players in Serie A this season, and as a central midfielder, that grade accounts not only for passing but also for tackling, blocking and tackle resistance, demonstrating that he still possesses the full range of attributes required of a midfielder at this level. He will not be the right fit for every team or every style of play given his physical profile, but for sides that enjoy large amounts of possession he could be a key contributor, and he has proven this season that he still has a great deal left in the tank.

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Marcos Senesi

Another player gracing the Premier League makes the list. The 28-year-old centre-back has impressed for a Bournemouth side that has kept nine clean sheets this season, and has featured in 29 of their 31 Premier League games so far, underlining his reliability and durability.

What makes Senesi particularly interesting is his unique profile. Trusted with initiating Bournemouth's build-up and counter-attacking play, he has completed 66 balls over the top this season, over double that of Pedro Porro in second place with 29. Senesi has also completed 188 line-breaking passes, ranking second among centre-backs and fourth overall in the Premier League this season. While he has not scored a goal this season, he has shown the ability to contribute at the other end, registering the joint highest number of assists among centre-backs alongside Gabriel of Arsenal.

Former centre-back partner Dean Huijsen left Bournemouth for Real Madrid and has proven capable of making the step up in standard, currently the fourth highest-graded centre-back in La Liga according to our Overall Grading this season. That could give big European clubs plenty of confidence that Senesi is capable of following in his footsteps.

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