5 most valuable Premier League players with expiring contracts

With quite a few talented Premier League players currently in the final year of their contracts, teams around Europe will be vying to potentially bring in quality players for free next summer. Though this list is long, there are five players in particular that stick out the most when discussing value.

Before we continue, it must be said that David de Gea, Toby Alderweireld, and Anthony Martial would certainly all be on this list under normal circumstances. While all three of these players do technically have one year remaining on their current contracts, they all also have club options for an additional year with their clubs. Alderweireld’s deal is specifically interesting, as Tottenham will reportedly trigger a £25 million release clause if they were to accept the additional one-year option.

Nevertheless, here are the five most valuable Premier League players set to become free agents next summer, per Transfermarkt.com.

Ander Herrera – Manchester United

Transfermarkt Value: £27 million

The feisty Spanish midfielder arrived to Old Trafford for a reported fee in the region of £32 million in 2014. Though not necessarily a star player, Herrera has done fairly well during his Manchester United tenure. In his best season with the Red Devils, he was rewarded with the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award following the 2016/17 campaign.

Just last year Herrera was in a similar position with his contract; however, United opted to utilize a one-year extension last November to keep him in the team until June of 2019. With a packed central midfield that includes Nemanja Matic, Fred, and Paul Pogba, it seems as if Herrera’s days in Manchester could soon be coming to an end.

Juan Mata – Manchester United

Transfermarkt Value: £27 million

Another Red Devil, Mata is also in a very similar situation to the aforementioned Herrera. Like his Spanish compatriot, Mata was also given an additional year on his contract during the 2017/18 season. Despite the boost of confidence with the extra year on his contract, Mata has failed to be included in the 18-man squad for the club’s last two Premier League matches. In fact, Mata has failed to record a minute of action in six of the team’s last 11 league games.

Also like Herrera, Mata has been pushed out of the squad due to competition with other players (namely Jesse Lingard) and formation changes by manager Jose Mourinho.

Cesc Fabregas – Chelsea

Transfermarkt Value: £27 million

Fabregas played a significant role in both of Chelsea’s Premier League titles during his four full seasons with the club. Though he managed 19 league assists during his first title with the team, and 12 more during his second championship with Chelsea, Fabregas is also finding it hard to get playing time on the pitch as of late. In fact, the now 31-year-old midfielder has yet to record an appearance in the club’s first four Premier League matches this season.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

Despite being on the wrong side of 30 now, Fabregas can still put in a solid performance in the middle of the pitch. Nevertheless, the summer arrivals of Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic has put Cesc’s Chelsea future in serious doubt. A January move away from Stamford Bridge could be in the cards for the former Arsenal and Barcelona man.

Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham Hotspur

Transfermarkt Value: £28.8 million

Since his arrival to Spurs in 2012, Vertonghen has been one of the most consistent central defenders in the Premier League. Though he has not collected any silverware with Spurs, he has grown into a complete center back with the club. In fact, he has even been included in the PFA Team of the Year twice during his six full seasons in London.

While everyone seems to be focused on Alderweireld’s contract situation, Spurs also need to focus on Vertonghen’s future as well. He will be turning 32 towards the end of the season though, and it remains to be seen if Spurs, a club that has a relatively low wage budget, will give their center back another substantial contract.

Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal

Value: £40 million

For the second season in a row, Arsenal are in a contract showdown with an integral player in their squad. Last season, the Gunners faced similar situations with both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. The north London outfit did, however, manage to come out of those contractual standoffs with positive outcomes.

Though Arsenal keep affirming that they are confident Ramsey will sign a new contract with the club, a deal has not yet come to fruition. The central midfielder is an important figure inside the club and losing him (particularly for free) would be extremely disappointing for Arsenal fans around the globe. His importance to the club was evident as he picked up his second Arsenal Player of the Season honors following the 2017/18 campaign. Re-signing Ramsey should be Arsenal’s number one priority heading forward.