Top 10 Most Valuable Free Agents in 2025
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As the dust settles on the dramatic January transfer window, football clubs and their fans are already turning their attention to the upcoming summer transfer market. While big-money deals often steal the spotlight, some of the savvier teams across Europe’s top leagues are keeping a close eye on top talents with expiring contracts. And in 2025, we could see some of the sports’ biggest stars depart their current clubs for free.
The Most Valuable Free Agents in 2025
Leading the pack as the most valuable player entering the final year of his contract is Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Reds’ right-back has a market value of €75m and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer. As the current vice-captain at Anfield, Alexander-Arnold has been with the club since the age of six, working his way up through the youth teams to become a key player, winning both the Champions League and Premier League titles. The opportunity to join “Los Blancos” and succeed Dani Carvajal may be too tempting to pass up.
In second place is another Liverpool star, 32-year-old Mohamed Salah, with a market value of €55m. The club’s all-time top Premier League scorer with 178 goals, Salah has been linked with a summer move to the Saudi Pro League. Rounding out the top three is Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, the 24-year-old Canadian who has a market value of €50m, but is now widely expected to sign a new deal with the German giants.
Teammate Joshua Kimmich, also boasting a €50m market value, comes in at fifth, having rather curiously not signed a new contract with Bayern yet. Sixth place goes to Lille striker Jonathan David, with the 24-year-old having a current market value of €45m. Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané, with a market value of €45m, follows in seventh, having been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, with a market value of €35m, comes in at eighth, while Bayer Leverkusen’s 28-year-old defender Jonathan Tah, with a €30m market value, takes ninth place. Rounding out the top 10 is Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, worth €28m.
As illustrated in the graphic, if we combine an XI of the most valuable players running out of contract next summer, it creates a formidable lineup. Napoli’s Alex Meret is in goal, with the experience of Tah and Van Dijk at center-back, flanked by two of the world’s best full-backs in Alexander-Arnold and Davies. Kimmich holds the midfield, supported by the creative force of De Bruyne, joined by Napoli’s Frank Anguissa. The front three features Salah and Sané on the wings, with David in the middle. This showcase of talent that could be available on a free transfer on July 1, 2025, is truly impressive.
