Every Premier League club's free agents
The 2021-22 Premier League season is almost over. The title race, relegation battle and the top-four race are all still yet to be decided. Many players have come into the English top flight this season and have impressed.
However, several Premier League players could leave their respective clubs on a free transfer at the end of the season. Come June 30, players with expired contracts will be free to join another club without a transfer fee. Let's take a look at every Premier League clubs' players who are out of contract.
Free agents at every Premier League club this summer
Arsenal
Arsenal have three players whose contracts expire at the end of the season - Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny.
Nketiah has been offered a new contract at the club. However, for the time being, his only focus is to finish the season strongly and then assess his options. He has attracted interest from other clubs in the Premier League and abroad.
“There have been talks and offers of a new contract, but my aim is to play football and play regularly,” Nketiah admitted during a recent appearance on the The Beautiful Game podcast.
He added:
“I love Arsenal, so I just want to focus on the season and make sure I finish in a good way and then sit down and see what the best opportunity is to allow me to take those steps and develop.”
As for Lacazette and Elneny, their situations are still uncertain. Lacazette dropped a hint that he would want to play for a side in the Champions League; that could well be the case with Arsenal.
Lacazette told Canal Plus:
"I'm in discussion with a lot of clubs, I'm open. I never cut contact with Lyon since I left. Now Lyon know that I'm free, they've come by the information. It's a bit more complicated. I want to play in Europe. It's been a long time since I've played in the Champions League, I miss it. Nothing is impossible in life, but it's a bit more complicated."
For Elneny, talks have begun with the player over a new contract. The Athletic reports that Arsenal are determined to keep hold of the midfielder and that the negotiations are in the initial stages.
Aston Villa
Ashley Young and Conor Hourihane are the two players out of contract at Aston Villa.
Young joined Villa last year and was handed a one-year contract. He is keen to stay at the Premier League club for another year.
Villa manager Steven Gerrard recently said on Young's contract:
“There have already been discussions. I've made it clear to Ash that I want him to stay around. The key to this will always be the player. He has to be happy, want to stay, negotiate and have his people connect to the club. There's still a lot to discuss moving forward and there's no rush but I'll make it clear that we're very happy with him.”
Hourihane's time at Aston Villa is up. He will have to look at his options when his loan deal with Sheffield United ends.
Brentford
Perhaps the most notable name on the list for Brentford is Christian Eriksen. He joined the club in the January transfer window on an initial six-month contract and has played a decisive role in taking Brentford out of the relegation spot.
Manager Thomas Frank wants the Danish international to stay. As The Times reported, Brendford are yet to make a formal offer but are keen to extend his stay at the club. However, he has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs.
More than three Premier League clubs are currently looking at signing Christian Eriksen on a free transfer this summer
Julian Jeanvier and Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen are the other two players out of contract at the end of the season.
The former has not played competitive football since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2020. Meanwhile, the latter has had his fair share of injuries to deal with. Both players have the option to extend their contract by one year.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Six players are out of contract at Brighton in the summer.
Although Danny Welbeck's contract expires at the end of the season, there are options in the contract for both parties. He could well be at the Premier League club for a third season.
Graham Potter wants to keep Pascal Gross at the club for the sixth season, but he would want a contract of more than a year.
𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡: "We've been waiting for a day like that at home!"
Pascal Gross on future:
‘I think we do that at the end of the season. We see what’s going on. All i can say is I am here 5 years & that’s a long time when you come from abroad but i’m enjoying it. From the start until now we have had a great journey & i still enjoyed it’ #bhafc twitter.com/BBCSussexSport…
Jayson Molumby is currently on loan at Championship club West Bromwich Albion. Steve Bruce has already confirmed that his move has been made permanent.
Tudor Baluta and Lars Dendoncker are not in Potter’s plans and are most likely to leave. Brighton have the option of another year on Alex Cochrane's contract.