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

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 01/01/2023 at 12:12 GMT

There are some big names out of contract in 2023 which will create a fascinating January transfer window if clubs look to sell those players, rather than letting them go as free agents in the summer. The likes of Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema are likely to stay where they are but there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Luka Modric, N’Golo Kante, Milan Skriniar and David de Gea.

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.

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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.

Even before his World Cup success, Messi had scored 12 goals and was much improved after a disappointing first campaign at the Ligue 1 side.

There will be no return to his beloved Barcelona yet.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) festeggia con la Coppa a Buenos Aires

Image credit: Getty Images

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.

• When does the January transfer window open and close?
• Which areas do Premier League’s biggest teams need to target in transfer window?

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.

Outside of Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Rabiot could be the biggest name to switch clubs in January.

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.

N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on April 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus//Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

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.

Ilkay Gündogan - Manchester City

Image credit: Getty Images

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.

Angel di Maria

Image credit: Getty Images

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?

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