Transfer window: 5 players who could sign pre-contracts

With the January transfer window now in full swing, clubs at both ends of the table will be working to bolster their squads ahead of the second half of the season. 

Several players are entering into the final six months of their respective contracts, meaning they could sign pre-contract agreements with any club outside of England this month before joining on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Here, we take a look at five of the biggest Premier League stars that are currently in that position.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

While Arne Slot’s side are cruising towards the Premier League title, much of the talk surrounding the Reds this term has been in relation to the futures of three key players. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all currently in the final six months of their contracts, and all could therefore sign agreements with foreign sides. Right-back Alexander-Arnold – who has 85 assists in 333 games for the club – has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid

Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

Influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has suffered with injuries over the past 18 months, but remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad. The Belgian has a combined 276 goals and assists in 400 games for the Citizens across all competitions, but he is yet to sign an extension to his current contract and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia or newly formed MLS side San Diego FC.

De Bruyne has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons

Son Heung-Min – Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs captain Son Heung-Min has a combined 11 goals and assists in 17 matches for Ange Postecoglou’s side so far this term, but the South Korean is nearing the end of his contract and could in theory agree a pre-contract this month. Son joined Tottenham from German side Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, and has since played more than 430 times for the North London side.

Son is in the final year of his contract at Tottenham

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has been in arguably the finest form of his career this season, recording a staggering 17 goals and 13 assists in just 18 Premier League games so far. The Egyptian’s form has helped propel Arne Slot’s side into a commanding lead at the top of the table, but the star’s future continues to dominate discussion off the pitch. The player himself has recently admitted that an agreement over an extension isn’t yet close.

Salah has broken the record for the fewest games to register 30 goal involvements in a Premier League season

Tyrick Mitchell – Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell has established himself as one of the best in the division in his position over the past couple of seasons, but the two-time England international is nearing the expiry of his current contract and faces an extremely uncertain future at Selhurst Park. The 25-year-old is a product of the Eagles’ academy and has played more than 150 times foe the club at senior level, but he could sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs this month.

Mitchell could leave Palace at the end of the season