Top 5 Football Stars Who Will Be Free Agents at the End of This Season

The free agency looks set to have some of football’s biggest names available for transfer when the 2022/23 football season ends.

Players become free agents when their contract expires or is terminated early, which either happens when both parties choose not to renew the contract or when a player negotiates a termination from their club.

With league champions being crowned across various countries, some stars are set to move on from their present teams whether they win silverware or not.

Lionel Messi is the biggest footballer who is set to run out of contract when the current season ends, with the Argentine star looking set to say goodbye to Paris Saint-Germain.

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Sports Brief, with the help of Sportskeeda, has listed some of the top players who are set to become free agents at the end of the season.

5. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

Roberto Firmino will leave Liverpool as a free agent at the end of the current season.

The Brazilian forward is a fan favourite at Anfield and has played a crucial role in the Reds' successes in recent years under manager, Jurgen Klopp.

Firmino has 109 goals and 79 assists in 360 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions and was part of their Champions League winning squad in 2019.

The Brazilian forward has played a total of 33 games this season, but mostly as a substitute, having seen his starting role diminished due to the arrival of Darwin Nunez.

4. Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan)

Milan Skriniar is also set to leave Inter Milan at the end of the season after the Slovakia international refused to extend his deal with the Serie A giants.

His contract with the Italian club expires this summer and he will officially be a free agent, with several top clubs in Europe queuing up to sign the defender.

PSG is one of the top clubs bidding to land the Slovakian defender next season as they try to rebuild their squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Skriniar won one Serie A title, one Coppa Italia, and one Supercoppa Italiana during his time with the Inter Milan.

3. Sergio Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)

Sergio Ramos' contract with PSG expires on June 30 this year and the Spanish defender is yet to agree to a new deal with the Parisians.

He joined the Ligue 1 giants as a free agent in 2021 after ending his 16-year relationship with Real Madrid, but has struggled since, making only six appearances in his first season.

It is unclear whether PSG will offer the 35-year-old defender a new deal as he has been one of the club’s standout players this season.

Ramos has won multiple trophies in his successful career, including four UEFA Champions League titles.

2. Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)

Ilkay Gundogan will be a free agent at the end of the season as the German international has yet to agree to a new contract with Manchester City.

He may leave the English Premier League champions on a free transfer this summer when his current deal with the Citizens expires.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has been an essential player since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016. He has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four League Cups with Man City.

Barcelona are looking to add a midfielder to their squad and they are reportedly willing to offer Gundogan a two-year deal if he becomes a free agent this summer.

1. Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)

Messi tops the list of superstars who are set to look for a new team following the expiration of their current contract.

The 35-year-old forward has had a mixed two seasons with PSG and has faced constant criticism from the club’s supporters, who have increased their protests for him to leave recently.

Messi joined the Parisians in 2021 on a bumper deal but failed to deliver the Champions League title to the French champions, one of the main reasons he was brought into the team.

As things currently stand, it appears PSG will not offer the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner a new contract, and he is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.

However, Messi is spoiled for options with Barcelona currently keen on bringing the Argentine international back to Camp Nou. At the same time, Saudi top team, Al-Hilal has offered him a massive deal to move to the Middle East.

PSG identify Lionel Messi’s replacement

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that PSG are planning for Messi's exit and have reportedly identified Man City midfielder, Bernardo Silva as the perfect replacement for the Argentine.

The veteran has had an uninspiring two seasons with the Parisians since joining from Barcelona in 2021, and is said to be willing to leave once his contract expires at the end of this season.

PSG are now believed to be ready to battle Barcelona for the signature of Silva, who is prepared to leave the Citizens this summer as he seeks a new challenge outside of England's leagues.