5 players who could secure a free move this January
The January transfer window is getting closer with every passing day, and so the rumour mill is in overdrive as deals are prepared to be made, players get ready to move club and agents start raking in some cash.
It’s an exciting time for fans of the beautiful game as they get to imagine if their favourite player might just join their team, but it’s also a nervy period because it might just be the shop window that sees your best player tempted away.
Also read: EPL 2016/17 - 5 players who have been frozen out by their clubs
But what about the stars who are in desperate need of a move to save their own careers or for a new change of scenery? Which clubs will let which wantaway players leave and start making free deals away?
#1 Axel Witsel
We’ve all been waiting for Axel Witsel to really make his mark at the highest level of professional football, but plying his trade with Zenit St Petersburg hasn’t served him up the chances to do that.
The Belgium international has been eyeing up a big move to Italian Serie A champions Juventus for some time now and he could have joined them last season, but the move broke down. Now, as his contract enters the final six months he is set to join the Bianconeri for around £7 million, according to Calciomercato, although if that doesn’t transpire he could leave for free in a few months’ time.
Should the Russian Premier League outfit put him in the shop window at the start of 2017, Juve might be tempted by the opportunity to bring him in earlier than next summer to fend off others, especially as the talented midfielder is eligible to play in the UEFA Champions League.
We might just see Witsel hit the heights he has always hinted at – he might even lift ol’ big ears in the Millenium Stadium.