When the European Court of Justice passed the Bosman ruling in 1995, courtesy of Jean-Marc Bosman, it changed the beautiful game forever.
Indeed, the allowing of footballers to move freely between teams upon the expiration of their contracts shifted power away from clubs and into the hands of the players – meaning they could hold employers to ransom during wage negotiations.
But it also created a new, incredibly cheap sector of the transfer market, letting clubs sign players on ‘free transfers’ without having to spend a penny or alternatively snap them up a couple of months early with a nominal fee involved.
With that in mind, Football Fancast have been taking a look at some of European football’s biggest stars whose contracts expire at the end of the season, in the hope of finding a few bargains for the Premier League’s top clubs.
This article focuses on Liverpool, who have the option of making a small bid in January for these FIVE suggestions or entering pre-contract negotiations over a move at the end of the season.
SOFIANE FEGHOULI
Liverpool’s squad lacks an out-and-out wide man and Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli fits the bill perfectly.
Although the Algerian international’s output isn’t exactly outstanding, claiming six goals and six assists in 33 La Liga appearances last season, his pace, power and tricky always creates opportunities in the final third.
Now aged 25 and into his sixth season at the Mestalla, Feghouli’s game could reach a significantly higher level over the next few years – which is why Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all taken an interest in his potential availability over the last few months.
Liverpool’s need for a winger is greater than all of the aforementioned clubs, however, and they can probably offer Feghouli greater assurances over game-time as a consequence.
But Valencia are still optimistic of extending the 5 foot 10 attacker’s contract past the end of the season, so the Reds may have to settle for signing Feghouli in the summer.
JOEL MATIP
Jurgen Klopp is more than acquainted with Joel Matip from his Bundesliga days and could soon find himself taking an interest in the Schalke defender, should Dejan Lovren fail to perform in the injury absence of Mamadou Sakho.
The Cameroon international has spent much of his career filling in as an ever-dependable utility man, slotting in at full-back, defensive midfield or centre-back when required, but appears to have now made the centre-half position his own at the Veltins Arena, registering 14 outings there this season.
Measuring in at a lofty 6 foot 4, sheer athleticism is the 24-year-old’s defining trait. He’s quick, agile and threatening in the air, resulting in averages of 1.3 tackles, 3.3 interceptions, 5.1 clearances and 4.1 successful aerial duels per match this term.
Schalke will be desperate to hold onto a defender who has been at the club since eight years of age, especially now that he’s emerging as one of their most consistent performers. But the Miners haven’t tied him down to a new deal yet and should the situation remain in the same in January, they’ll undoubtedly be tempted to cash in.
STEVE MANDANDA
The jury’s still out on Simon Mignolet, which says quite a lot considering the Liverpool No.1 is now three seasons and 110 appearances into his Anfield career. One Bosman-bound replacement comes in the form of Marseille’s Steve Mandanda, who has hinted he wants to try a new challenge once his contract expires at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old is unquestionably one of the top goalkeepers in Ligue 1, having thrice claimed the division’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and amassed 20 caps for France, despite facing formidable competition from Hugo Lloris throughout his international career.
With 368 club appearances and 53 Champions League outings under his belt, the 6 foot 1 shot-stopper is certainly a safe pair of hands. He would add a much-needed sense of experience and composure to Liverpool’s often chaotic backline.
Bosman departures have become a recurring trend for Marseille – Andre-Pierre Gignac and Andre Ayew both left in the summer – and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mandanda follow suit should L’OM’s poor start to the season continue. They’re currently in 13th place – nine points off the Champions League spots.
ALVARO ARBELOA
Former Red Alvaro Arbeloa has been linked with a return to Anfield several times throughout his Real Madrid career, but it could finally happen within the next two transfer windows with his contract now into its ultimate twelve months.
The epitome of unsung hero, Arbeloa has rarely claimed the headlines during his tenures with Los Blancos and the Spanish national team, yet his influence has clearly been positive with a World Cup, two European Championships, two Copa del Reys, a La Liga title and a Champions League title on his CV.
Aged 32, Arbeloa offers an abundance of experience in addition to great versatility, having featured in both full-back positions and at centre-half during his seven seasons with the La Liga giants.
You can’t imagine Liverpool’s transfer committee being too happy about signing a player verging upon his declining years who is used to being paid high-end Champions League wages.
But the 56-cap Spaniard would add great depth, experience and leadership to the Anfield squad and could prove to be an invaluable asset for Jurgen Klopp.
EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI
Linking Ezequiel Lavezzi with a move to Liverpool has almost become a running joke in the tabloids, a running joke that has lasted for the best part of two years.
But the Argentina international certainly suits Jurgen Klopp’s ‘gegenpressing’ philosophy, as a winger-forward famed for his industriousness and Albicelestial tenacity, whilst possessing the Champions League-standard attacking quality the Reds currently lack.
Indeed, the 30-year-old has scored 34 goals in 154 appearances for the Parisians, despite often being limited to opportunities for the bench, and has a knack for pulling off the occasional sublime – his goal against Chelsea last season being one of the more memorable examples.
Once again, the transfer committee may frown upon Lavezzi’s age and wage demands, but he represents the Luis-Suarez-esque presence in attack they’ve lacked since the South American left for Barcelona in summer 2014. Likewise, on a free transfer certainly represents a bit of a coup.