Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, N’Golo Kante – Best players out of contract in 2023

Some big football names will be out of contract in 2023, making them potentially major targets in the January transfer window.

Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema’s current deals both run out in June, but realistically they look likely to stay at Paris Saint-German and Real Madrid respectively.

There are some names who could be on the move though as early as January though, with their clubs keen to generate some cash for their assets rather than lose them as free agents in the summer.

Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain

Messi is set to renew his contract at PSG by signing a one-year deal, with the option of another 12 months, so anybody hoping to buy the Argentine star will have to wait.

There will be no return to his beloved Barcelona yet.

Karim Benzema – Real Madrid

Similarly for Benzema, an announcement is expected soon that he has put pen to paper over a new deal that will keep him at Real Madrid.

Although the Frenchman hasn’t matched his incredible heights of last season, he’s still a valuable player to the Champions League and La Liga holders.

However, with persistent injury issues and into his mid-thirties, his new contract may only be extended until 2024.

Adrien Rabiot – Juventus

This is an interesting one as Manchester United pushed hard to sign Adrien Rabiot from Juventus in the summer.

Since then, Rabiot made some big demands to the Serie A club over wages in November and there is now interest from Tottenham Hotspur, United and Chelsea after his strong World Cup showings.

N’Golo Kante – Chelsea

Another big name out of contract in June is N’Golo Kante, who is currently on the sidelines until late February after undergoing surgery for a knee injury in October.

Barcelona are favourites to come in and take the midfielder away from Stamford Bridge whilst The Mirror have reported Kante could join Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Milan Skriniar – Inter Milan

Milan Skriniar is wanted by several of Europe’s top clubs after another great year for the defender at Inter Milan.

Skriniar has been at Inter since 2017 and has become one of the best defenders in the world in that time.

Ilkay Gundogan – Manchester City

In early November, Ilkay Gundogan admitted he wanted to know what Pep Guardiola’s plans at Manchester City were, before making a decision on his own future.

Now he knows Guardiola will be at the Etihad until 2025 which might be enough for Gundogan to stay, especially if Kalvin Phillips continues to struggle with fitness and doesn’t come good.

Bayern Munich are interested in bringing the 32-year-old back to Germany.

Luka Modric – Real Madrid

At 37 years old, Luka Modric’s career in top-flight football is up in the air with nothing concrete coming out of Real Madrid about his future.

Modric signed a one-year deal last year but Real Madrid seem to be eyeing a replacement – reports have linked them with England and Borussia Dortmund tyro Jude Bellingham – which would leave the Croatian available.

Whether that’s as a free agent or for the right price in January remains to be seen.

Angel Di Maria – Juventus

Angel Di Maria only joined Juventus in the summer, but it was just a one-year deal and injuries have meant he hasn’t got up to speed at the Italian side yet.

The 34-year-old showed in the World Cup final why he can be one of the best on his day and similarly to Modric, it’s not certain where his future lies.

David de Gea – Manchester United

Manchester United are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper, with Portugal’s Diogo Costa linked to Old Trafford.

De Gea will likely be offered a reduced salary to stay at United, which may lead him to search for a new club.

One of Europe’s heavyweight sides are unlikely to see much in De Gea, so the Spaniard could have a new challenge on his hands in 2023.

Who else is a free agent in 2023?

There are plenty of other stars whose contracts expire in six months including Youri Tielemans, Jorginho, Marcus Thuram, Wilfred Zaha, Toni Kroos, Stefan de Vrij, Evan Ndicka and Roberto Firmino.

They will all be making the headlines over the next eight months, but who will stay and who will go?