Young and free: 5 players with expiring contracts in 2022

While many clubs will be splashing out millions for reinforcements next month, some more financially-savvy teams will be looking for soon-to-be free agents to grab a bargain. Playmaker looks at five players with contracts running out in 2022 who could make a huge impact...

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Fabio Carvalho (Fulham) 

A few months ago Fulham looked almost certain to gain promotion to the Premier League, but now that the chasing pack has caught up things aren’t looking so sure. That might well mean that the London club has a little less leverage when trying to convince the starlet to stay rather than leave for one of Europe’s elite. Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Chelsea are just a few of the many clubs monitoring the talented youngster.

The tricky and talented playmaker is just 19 and his next club isn’t his only difficult choice to make – he also needs to decide if he wants to play international football for England or Portugal. 

Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are finally getting going, but Eddie Nketiah isn’t seeing much action besides playing in the League Cup – a competition he has scored five goals in this season. Naturally, the young striker wants more football and he’s already proven that he has an eye for goal. 

If Nketiah really does want to leave the Gunners, he’ll have plenty of admirers with various Premier League clubs said to be interested in the 22-year old.

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Real Madrid have an academy that often goes under the radar since many of their players find it difficult to break into a team full of superstars where success is essential. Of course, some academy players make it like Iker Casillas and Raúl but the likes of Juan Mata and Marcos Alonso have to fly the nest.

21-year old Antonio Blanco might need to pursue the latter course to play more regularly. The Spanish defensive midfielder is a promising prospect but Casemiro is tough to displace. Espanyol are apparently monitoring the situation and other clubs certainly will be as well. 

Marcos Leonardo (Santos)

Unlike the other players on this list, Marcos Leonardo’s contract doesn’t expire in the summer but in October. However, clubs can freely speak to the player in April if the exciting 18-year old doesn’t come to terms with a new deal at Santos. They could speak to him even sooner if they don’t mind paying the €100 million release clause first.

In the final three games of the Brazilian Serie A, Marcos Leonardo found some consistent goal scoring to go with his raw talent – scoring four in his last three games. 

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Although Manchester United have the option of extending Tahith Chong’s contract for another year, clubs will soon be able to talk to the player and convince him to take up a new challenge.

Chong was highly rated in the youth rankings at Old Trafford, but a few poor loan spells at Werder Bremen and Club Brugge last season, but this year at Birmingham City the former Feyenoord youth product had finally hit his stride with some eye-catching performances. Sadly, in November Chong suffered a serious groin injury that will keep him sidelined for months but when the 22-year old recovers he could be an excellent attacking outlet for any team.