Trent joins Madrid: Where does he rank among the top 10 players with contracts expiring

Despite his age, Liverpool's "Egyptian King”, Salah, is still synonymous with top scoring. With 15 goals and 11 assists in 18 Premier League games, the 32-year-old has posted wonderful performances in the 24/25 season that show no indications of declining efficiency.

Although he showed a readiness to leave ("more out than in") at the start of the season, he has since declared a willingness to stay and he is currently in contract extension talks with Liverpool.

However, Salah's stay in England is under serious threat from Saudi interest, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal desperate to offer the Egyptian a bumper contract.

Losing this all-time Premier League great—whose peak performance of 32 goals and 10 assists in the 2017–18 season is still unforgettable—would be disastrous for the Reds, especially in the transitional period when new coach Arne Slot has to stabilise the core.

De Bruyne, 33, has made 12 starts in the 2024–25 season owing to injury but still proves to be the "Premier League's No. 1 midfielder" with six assists and an average of one big chance a game.

Manchester City are keen to retain the key player whose 27 assists in the 2019–20 season remains a record. Still, disagreements about the terms and pay of the contract have hampered contract renewal negotiations.

Saudi superpower Al-Nassr are already fascinated with the player, and should an agreement fail, De Bruyne might follow Ronaldo to the Middle East, where he could wrap up his career with a big contract.

Several major outlets have already confirmed news reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is certain to join Real Madrid this summer.

Despite Liverpool's desperate efforts, Real Madrid appears to have lured the player with a Champions League platform and a five-year contract, offering a weekly pay exceeding £220,000

With a peak 15 assists in the 2021–22 season, Trent's departure will be a major setback for the Reds, as he is the "assist king of full-backs".

Along with losing the motor on the right flank—two goals and seven assists in twenty games this season—they will also be saying adieu to the flagship graduate of their academy.

Should negotiations go well and a contract renewal be reached, Anfield will be ecstatic, but current indications suggest that the 26-year-old English sensation is already in love with Spain's sunny climate.

Despite being 37 years old, Messi held his crown as the "king of football" by scoring 25 goals and providing 11 assists in 22 games for Inter Miami in 2024. However, his contract expires in December 2025—the end of the MLS season—and there is ongoing conjecture about a possible return to Europe.

Another expressive option is Messi's childhood team, Newell's Old Boys, while Barcelona president Laporta has also made overtures on several occasions.

Still, Miami's family comfort and commercial empire will probably have more bearing on his decision to extend until 2026. Messi's 91 goals in 2012 are ultimately only a memory, and he is now more captivated with the pure delight of football than breaking records.

24-year-old Lille forward Jonathan David is the youngest player on this list. His 11 goals in the first 19 games of this season have showcased his consistency, which peaked at an explosive 24 Ligue 1 goal count in the 2022–23 season.

Lille's president has clearly stated that he "will not impede a departure in 2025," with the young striker being highly sought after by Arsenal and Manchester United, while Barcelona also sees him as a possible successor to Lewandowski.

David's ice-cold finishing—averaging 0.5 goals per game in his career—and sprinting speed (one of football's fastest) ensure that he will not be short of candidates; the only question is whether his future home will be the Premier League or La Liga.

Sané's 2024–25 season presents a varied picture. Although the statistics of seven goals and four assists in 23 Bundesliga games are lacklustre for a dominant club like Bayern, the reality is that Olise's arrival has limited his playing time.

Bayern's management has chosen to postpone negotiations on contract renewals due to dwindling form and is looking to revisit the topic in April.

His 15 assists at Manchester City confirmed the heights he can reach as a winger, and clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United could profit from this opportunity to sign him.

Should he fail to land a starting spot at Bayern, the 28-year-old German international could choose to return to the Premier League.

While Ronaldo's record of sixteen goals in nineteen Saudi appearances is impressive, age is an ultimate reality.

Though supporters hope for him to return to his old team Sporting Lisbon or join MLS for a final face-off with arch-rival Lionel Messi, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is more likely to end his career in the Middle East.

Ronaldo has personally shown interest in "retiring in Saudi Arabia," and Al Nassr is eager to extend his contract.

The 61 goals he scored in the 2014–2015 season are now a distant memory, and his current focus is primarily on his business activities and his spiritual leadership role.

The departure of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Tah, who “won't renew contract," has ignited quite a debate. His 94 percent pass success rate this season is a benchmark for on-the-ball centre-backs, while his all-round performances of 4.9 recoveries per game and 4 clearances per game have made him a unique option this window.

Barcelona has considered Tah as a potential addition to their team, and Manchester United and Chelsea are in dire need of a defensive commander. Tah's Bundesliga title experience is sure to spark a bidding war.

After failing at Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to Santos early in 2025, where his contribution of two goals and three assists in the first four games with the Brazil outfit shows he has not lost much of his magic.

This temporary deal, however, is only a stopgap, as his team are now gearing up for a trip back to Europe, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich among possible destinations.

Although the 27 goals and 17 assists of the "MNM" trident in Paris during the 2017–18 season are only a memory now, if Neymar maintains good health, he will remain a box office guarantee for any major team.

Nigerian fullback Aina is the "king of value for money" on this list. Chelsea and Manchester City have taken note of his 2024–25 figures, which include 1.8 tackles and 105 recoveries—the most among wingbacks in the top five leagues.

Although he publicly declared in a Football365 interview that he "hopes to stay” at high-flying Nottingham Forest, the versatile 27-year-old player would find it tough to turn down an offer from a big club.

One of the best defensive full-backs in the Premier League title, Aina's adaptability would be absolutely vital to any team.