“LIVERPOOL could end the season with a Quadruple under new boss Arne Slot. But many Reds fans fear a treble departure might still be on the cards – and now it starts getting serious. 4 Liverpool trio Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are all out of contract this summer Credit: AFP Skipper Virgil van Dijk”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
But many Reds fans fear a treble departure might still be on the cards – and now it starts getting serious.
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Liverpool trio Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are all out of contract this summerCredit: AFPSkipper Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah are all out of contract in the summer.
That means, from today, they can legitimately discuss end-of-season “Bosman” free moves to overseas clubs.
Prem rivals are not allowed to make formal contact although behind-the-scenes moves are hardly unprecedented.
With 80-plus top-flight players now entering the final few months of their existing deals, it means the starting pistol for global interest in Prem stars was fired at midnight.
It is not just Liverpool fans who will be anxious.
Kevin De Bruyne’s contract at Manchester City is up in six months, along with a host of first-team regulars across the Prem.
Everton have no fewer than eight players whose deals are up at the end of June, Manchester United have six, while Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brighton risk seeing five players leave for nothing.
SunSport looks at the ten stand-out names who can talk to foreign clubs from today…
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Trent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool right-back, 26, is being courted by Real Madrid but the Anfield club rejected the Spanish club’s move last night.
His departure would be a body blow for Anfield fans.
Yet Arne Slot does have a ready-made replacement at the club in the form of Northern Ireland’s Conor Bradley.
Virgil van DijkAnfield skipper appears more likely than not to sign on for a few more years.
But the Dutch defensive ace, 33, may want a three-season deal — which is against the owners Fenway Sports’ financial model.
Centre-halves, though, have longer footballing lives than other outfield players.
Mo SalahThe Egyptian King is on course for the greatest attacking season of the Premier League era with a staggering 17 goals and 13 assists so far.
But Salah, 32, has been playing a public game of contract chicken with the Liverpool hierarchy and knows he is the Saudi Pro League’s No 1 target.
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Mo Salah has yet to sign a new contract with LiverpoolCredit: PAKevin De BruyneManchester City’s Belgian star, 33, went public on uncertainty over his Etihad future.
He has been hit by injuries again and also lost his starting spot.
If the curtain is being pulled down on his City era, he would leave as a club great. Will have big Middle East offers.
Amad DialloIn a season of toil and trial for Manchester United the Ivorian, 22, has been one of the precious few bright lights and a player who seems a more natural fit for Ruben Amorim’s preferred shape.
But if United do not act fast, the door will be open to leave — either to seal a European move now or get his choice of clubs next summer.
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
Son Heung-minSpurs have the option to extend their South Korean captain’s stay in N17 for a further year but recent displays – especially his shocker against Wolves on Sunday – might suggest his future is unclear.
Hearing former Tottenham striker Harry Kane indicate that he would welcome Sonny at Bayern Munich might make him ponder his best move.
Mario LeminaLosing the Wolves captaincy after flipping his lid at the end of the defeat by West Ham that tipped Gary O’Neil one step closer to the exit door may be the incentive for the Gabonese midfielder to look elsewhere.
And at 31, former Southampton and Fulham midfielder Lemina still has a few seasons left at the top level.
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Mario Lemina’s future may lay away from MolineuxCredit: PAThomas ParteyGhana’s midfield powerhouse has been in and out of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side during this campaign but has also proven his versatility.
Partey is not the only Gunners midfielder out of contract in the summer, with Italy star Jorginho in a similar position.
But Partey, 31, did well when at Atletico Madrid and might well be a target in Spain.
Christian NorgaardThomas Frank’s faith in his fellow Dane is unquestioned and the Brentford skipper has become a popular figure among Bees fans in six seasons since joining from Fiorentina.
Still only 30, Norgaard will not be short of summer suitors but might fancy a return to the continent and can now look to fix up a deal.
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Christian Norgaard is a huge fan favourite at BrentfordCredit: GettyDominic Calvert-LewinMaybe the biggest surprise for the England striker, 27, is he is still at Everton after having been linked with a move away for at least the past 18 months.
Running down his deal to join Newcastle for nothing in the summer remains his most likely move but he is also a potential target for Fiorentina, who are eyeing a Champions League return.