Contracts are expiring, agents are on speed dial, and clubs are sharpening the axe. WhatsApp groups are already filling up with “he’s finished, let him go” takes, and you just know someone’s uncle claims to have seen a player’s agent at the airport.
Ah yes, summer the season of dodgy “in the know” accounts, fake plane tracker screenshots, and players writing emotional goodbyes on Instagram while quietly chasing one last mega payday.
This year’s free-agent market? It’s interesting to say the least. From Trent leaving Liverpool in tears (well, almost) to KDB doing the trophyless mic-drop at City exiting out the back door, Premier League squads are on the verge of major shake-ups, and we’re breaking down every Premier League club’s players who could be out the door for nothing. Let’s get into it.
Arsenal
Out of Contract: Jorginho, Thomas Partey
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Jorginho: Definitely gone. Thanks for the memories (and the memes).
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Partey: Wants to stay, but Arsenal seem non-committal. Might take a last-minute extension or pack up for Saudi.
Arsenal’s midfield looks set for another reshuffle this summer, with both veterans at a crossroads. Jorginho’s tidy-but-toothless style feels like a poor fit for Arteta’s high-energy system, and Partey’s injury record has tested the club’s patience more than once. While Arsenal have the option to rebuild around Rice and Ødegaard, losing both without ready-made replacements could leave them light in the engine room. Fans will be watching the club’s next move very closely. Arsenal’s midfield needs energy, not nostalgia and as we know Mikel Arteta loves buying a midfielder when everyone knows it’s a forward they need.
Aston Villa
Out of Contract: Kortney Hause, Robin Olsen
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Hause: Knee issues have derailed his career. Could do with a total reset. Barely kicked a ball in two years. Couldn’t be more “fresh start needed” if he tried.
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Olsen: Villa’s “break glass in case of emergency” No.2 keeper. Likely off to find another bench to warm.
Villa’s focus will be on building depth for Europe, and these two won’t be part of the next chapter. Hause needs a fresh start, and Olsen might fancy one last payday before retirement. Don’t expect either to get a farewell video.
Bournemouth
Out of Contract: Chris Mepham
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Mepham: On loan at Sunderland. Permanent move likely if they get promoted and Sunderland want him permanently. Bournemouth have an option to extend but might let him walk.
Mepham’s Bournemouth days seem numbered. With game time scarce on the south coast, a move to Sunderland (or anywhere offering minutes) makes too much sense. The only twist could be Bournemouth triggering a sneaky extension for resale value. Which they won’t, so we move along.
Brentford
Out of Contract: Josh Dasilva, Ben Mee
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Dasilva: Club could extend, but fitness issues have held him back.
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Mee: Confirmed exit. Cult hero status intact.
Brentford have some sentimental calls to make. Dasilva’s talent is undeniable, but the club won’t want another season of treatment table updates, which is a shame because he always looks good when he plays. Mee leaves with respect from the fans but on-field minutes have dried up. A younger defensive rebuild looks imminent.
Brighton
Out of Contract: Tariq Lamptey, James Milner
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Lamptey: Injury curse continues. Time to move on?
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Milner: 39, injured, and still somehow useful. Might stay on as coaching or leadership role aka the Scott Carson “vibes captain”.
Brighton are moving forward, and Lamptey looks like one of those “what could’ve been” players, remember 2 years ago when all the big boys were chasing him? Long gone are those days. Meanwhile, Milner, still defying time like a middle aged lass from California, could transition into the coaching team if his hamstrings finally call it a day.
Chelsea
Out of Contract: Lucas Bergstrom
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Bergstrom: Zero senior appearances. Career highlight? Making the bench in Europe. Likely off to find game time elsewhere.
Chelsea’s conveyor belt of players rolls on, and Bergstrom’s journey ends before it even started. Expect a quiet release, with the club barely noticing. It’s almost like Chelsea give players lifetime contracts….oh wait they do.
Crystal Palace
Out of Contract: Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Ward, Remi Matthews
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Clyne & Ward: Palace lifers set for emotional exits. Two Palace icons likely leaving after a decade of service.
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Matthews: Might get another deal as backup keeper.
Two loyal servants nearing their Selhurst send-offs. Joel Ward savoured a fairytale ending to his Crystal Palace career by lifting the FA Cup and admitted: I’m lost for words. Emotional goodbyes are expected for Clyne and Ward, while Matthews might extend his stay if Palace fancy keeping a safe pair of gloves around.
Everton
Out of Contract:
Calvert-Lewin, Doucoure, Keane, Gueye, Virginia, Young, Coleman, Begovic, Holgate, Maupay
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Coleman & Young: Legends, but likely released.
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Calvert-Lewin & Doucoure: Might be worth keeping but wages could be a killer.
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Begovic & Virginia: Already confirmed as leaving.
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Maupay: Might finally put Everton fans out of their misery.
It will be a summer of change at Everton, and not just because of the club’s move to their new stadium. Ten players are out of contract this summer, including Coleman, who joined the club in 2009 who is still the greatest pound for pound signing by any Premier League club ever, and Calvert-Lewin. Everton’s rebuild starts here. With ten players potentially walking, the Toffees’ squad could look completely different by August. Fans will be praying the club gets this summer right, for once.
Fulham
Out of Contract: Kenny Tete, Carlos Vinicius, Tom Cairney, Willian
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Cairney: 10 years of service, but might be time to move on.
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Willian: Probably off to Saudi or somewhere equally sunny.
Fulham are at a crossroads, last week, the club took up options to extend the deals of Adama Traore, Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez. Cairney is a club legend but isn’t getting any younger and is linked with a big contract at the Wrexham retirement home. Willian’s legs have gone, but his name might still carry weight in MLS or Saudi circles, even if he loves living in London. Fulham need to refresh without losing leadership.
Ipswich Town
Out of Contract: Tuanzebe, Burgess, Luongo, Harness, Baggott
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Relegated. Reset incoming. Tuanzebe will have offers, Burgess might stay for the rebuild.
Ipswich’s fairytale ended with relegation, and their squad faces a gutting. Kieran McKenna has said he is keen to extend Tuanzebe’s contract, but the confirmation of Ipswich’s relegation back to the Championship increases the likelihood of him receiving other offers. Tuanzebe and Burgess could headline the departures, with the club needing to rebuild for another promotion push.
Leicester City
Out of Contract: Jamie Vardy, Danny Ward, Daniel Iversen
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Vardy: Club legend, already confirmed he’s gone.
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Ward & Iversen: Backup keepers likely off to the Championship.
Vardy has already announced he will leave the club this summer after 13 years of service and Leicester face an impossible task to replace him. Replacing Vardy? Good luck. The man’s legacy is untouchable. Leicester’s real challenge starts now: finding goals without him.
Liverpool
Out of Contract: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Davies
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Trent: Booed off by his own fans. Madrid-bound. The end of an era.
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Davies: Fourth-choice keeper. Loan or release incoming.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave has upset some Liverpool fans, who booed him, bit of a joke that, but time heals all wounds right? Whether you booed or backed him, the Scouse Cafu’s legacy is secured. Liverpool need a serious plan to replace his creativity. His name is Frimpong and the deal is done, basically we move along and see what happens next on Merseyside.
Manchester City
Out of Contract: Kevin De Bruyne, Scott Carson
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KDB: Six titles, countless assists. The heart of City’s dominance. Big money move next?
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Carson: Chief Vibes Officer could sign yet another one-year deal.
KDB’s departure signals the end of an era. De Bruyne’s announcement that he was leaving Manchester City after 10 seasons and six Premier League titles was huge and just smells of the time has come. Carson? Well, he’s got the best job in football. Expect another “one more year” deal.
Manchester United
Out of Contract: Lindelof, Eriksen, Evans, Heaton
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Lindelof: Likely gone. Could do bits in Serie A.
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Eriksen: Already packing.
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Evans & Heaton: Retirement or coaching beckons. Might as well open a pub together at this point.
You don’t need to be a football genius to know this squad needs ripping up and starting again. After a shambolic league campaign that left fans begging for the season to end, United are on the verge of a massive reset, and this list proves it. Whether it’s the INEOS rebuild or just common sense finally kicking in, expect this summer to be the start of the biggest squad refresh Old Trafford has seen in years.
Newcastle United
Out of Contract: Wilson, Lewis, Gillespie, Ruddy
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Wilson: Club have an option but his wages are a problem.
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Lewis: Might stay in Brazil permanently. Sao Paulo move likely
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Gillespie & Ruddy: Rotation keepers likely gone.
Newcastle’s squad evolution continues. Expect smart replacements if Wilson goes. Lewis became the first British-born player to represent Sao Paulo in Brazil when he joined them on loan this season, and there is an option to make that deal permanent. More about incomings on Tyneside this summer.
Nottingham Forest
Out of Contract: Toffolo, Boly, Hennessey
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Toffolo & Boly: Likely released.
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Hennessey: Injured but might stick around as third-choice.
Left-back Toffolo had a one-year option activated last summer to keep him at the club while Boly’s future remains uncertain. He is 34 and has mostly been an unused substitute this season, so a fresh start may be on the cards. Forest need to trim their massive squad. These feel like easy exits to start with.
Southampton
Out of Contract: Walker-Peters, Lallana, Lumley
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Walker-Peters: Definitely gone.
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Lallana: Player-coach or retirement incoming.
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Lumley: Probably time to move on.
Saints are rebuilding again after relegation. Following relegation, Southampton seem resigned to losing Walker-Peters on a free transfer while Lallana has played 4 games this year while working as a player/assistant manager. Expect youth and energy to replace these exits.
Tottenham
Out of Contract: Reguilon, Forster, Whiteman, Ben Davies
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Reguilon: Spain-bound.
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Forster & Whiteman: Both gone.
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Davies: Club might hand him another year. Again.
Reguilon does not feature in Ange Postecoglou’s plans and seems certain to return to Spain this summer. While Ben Davies will likely get an extension, Spurs love a contract extension, it’s something they seem to do a lot. Not much to write home about here, no real loses if we are being totally honest.
West Ham United
Out of Contract: Ings, Coufal, Antonio, Fabianski, Cresswell, Zouma
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Cresswell, Fabianski, Ings, Coufal: All confirmed gone.
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Zouma: Expected to join them.
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Antonio: Might get one more year depending on his recovery.
It will be a new era at West Ham next season. Last week, the club confirmed Cresswell, Fabianski, Ings and Coufal will leave. West Ham’s squad overhaul is well underway. Fans will hope it’s not a full rebuild for the sake of it.
Wolves
Out of Contract: Semedo, Sarabia, Dawson
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Dawson: Already out.
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Sarabia: On 100k a week for 6 starts—pack your bags, mate.
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Semedo: Club want to keep him but he might fancy a new challenge.
Wolves need to cut costs. Sarabia leaving would free up massive wages. Wolves effectively let Dawson go after the January window but are still paying his contract until it expires this summer. Semedo staying would be a bonus, as he has been captain since January. Wolves would love to keep him and talks have been held, but he will probably choose to move on.
Final Whistle
There you have it. From legends to benchwarmers, this summer’s free-agent market is ready to pop. Some clubs will regret letting talent go for free. Others will quietly rebuild without the Twitter meltdowns.
One thing’s for sure, StatrDraft will be watching it all unfold.
Jon Harrison, May 2025
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