Don't worry, silly season isn't here just yet.
However, with only eight Premier League gameweeks to be played before the January transfer window opens - due to the World Cup - clubs are beginning to plot their business for what's set to be an unprecedented winter of football around the world, particularly in Europe's biggest leagues.
Over the summer, we saw England's top 20 teams splash out a dizzying £1.9billion on players, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Raheem Sterling, Darwin Nunez and Gabriel Jesus all on the move. But January always presents a unique opportunity, as players whose current deals expire that coming summer can sign a pre-contract agreement with a club and secure a free transfer, often with a healthy signing-on bonus for good measure.
The Premier League is becoming infamous for its inflated transfer fees, so the chance to avoid all the hassle of negotiating is often more than welcome - and tempting. With that in mind, here are 10 Premier League players who're soon to be free agents and available to snap up in January.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Kicking off with the most talked-about footballer on the planet, someone could sign Ronaldo for nothing next summer. While the debate rages on over whether the five-time Ballon d'Or deserves a place in a struggling Manchester United side, Ronaldo is still eyeing a move away after entering the final season on his lucrative Old Trafford deal.
The 37-year-old would reportedly prefer to leave after the World Cup in January, but with United reluctant to let him go without a replacement lined up, waiting until next June may well be his best option. Almost every club in the world would be interested in the glitz, glamour and goals Ronaldo which brings, but who can meet his mind-boggling wage demands will be the stumbling block.
Youri Tielemans
Very often in football, it seems as if clubs unanimously decide to hold out on a player if their contract is close to running down and there's no sign of a new deal. Despite being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer, Tielemans has stayed put at Leicester, who remain in the relegation zone.
A player of his quality is worthy of a far superior standing, so that's why Barcelona - who remain financially troubled - are believed to have entered the running. Spanish outlet Sport claim that Camp Nou chiefs are monitoring the Belgian maestro, with a view to either a cut-price transfer in January or a free switch next summer.
Ilkay Gundogan
Also included on Barcelona's shortlist of signings is Gundogan, Manchester City's ever-reliable midfielder with a knack of finding the net. Having spent last season back on the peripheries after a starring role in the Citizens' 2021 Premier League title triumph, it seems that the German is ready to wave goodbye to the Etihad in nine months' time.
Gundogan gave a coy update on his future back in August, mentioning during a Twitter Q&A: "We will see. Right now it's really just about focusing on the new season." He'll need to focus on his contract situation soon enough, though, having been Pep Guardiola's first signing at the club back in 2016.
Roberto Firmino
Just a few weeks ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Liverpool fan desperate to keep Firmino. Looking lethargic amid fears that he's over the hill, the Brazilian forward has bounced back in emphatic fashion to stake a claim as the Reds' player of the season so far.
A superb double against Rangers on Wednesday reminded everyone of his goalscoring quality, as did his cheeky back-heel assist for Nunez to wrap up the victory. Nevertheless, Firmino has entered the twilight of his career at the age of 31 and it could soon be the right time to say goodbye.
Marcus Rashford
Arguably the least likely player on this list to see his contract expire in 2023, Man United's own Rashford remains a Red Devil at heart. However, tentative links to Barcelona and eye-raising stories about his entourage meeting with Paris Saint-Germain officials over the summer have thrown his future into question.
Manager Erik ten Hag has assured fans the 24-year-old won't be going anywhere, though, with United having the power to trigger an extension clause. Asked if he wants to keep Rashford, Ten Hag replied: "Definitely. I don't think he's out of contract – United control the situation."
There are also a number of his teammates due to be free agents, who the Old Trafford club canals keep at their will. David de Gea, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred are among them, all players who've featured for Ten Hag and would likely need to push for an exit in order not to be in Manchester this time next year.
Wilfried Zaha
In another universe, Zaha still would've been teammates with the aforementioned United stars. Alas, he's become a Crystal Palace icon - despite allegedly wanting to leave for much of that time.
Now 29, it's surely now or never for the Ivory Coast international to find a new club and fulfil his dream of playing European football. It's constantly been Palace's asking price which has denied Zaha a move, but now that hurdle has been removed from his path.
Douglas Luiz
Sticking with stars outside of the so-called 'Big Six', Luiz almost got a big-money on deadline day in September. Arsenal were said to be keen on signing the Aston Villa midfielder, who spent time working under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta during his two years contracted to Man City.
At 24, Luiz still has plenty of potential and was tipped to do big things by Guardiola, but Villa manager Steven Gerrard hopes to persuade him to sign a new deal instead of walking away between now and June. "We want him to stay here," Gerrard affirmed in August. "The owners were very strong in keeping him here.
"Am I surprised by the speculation? No, because we have got a young Brazilian player who is a fantastic talent, so I expect to be asked this question a lot as the season progresses."
Jorginho
Midfielders are all the rage on this list and if you ask a certain type of football fan, Jorginho's one of the best there is. Proving his critics wrong after being signed by ex- Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri in 2018, the Italian has kept his place under four different managers - most recently Graham Potter - but Barcelona have been tagged with interest once again.
His agent this week dropped a hint over Jorginho's future at Stamford Bridge, as Joao Santos told TuttoMercatoWeb : "We prioritise Chelsea and we are moving towards it. I work in football, I have been to Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, but also in other parts such as Lyon. I'm Jorginho’s agent, I may have talked about him but also about others."
N'Golo Kante
Yet another reported Barcelona target and Chelsea star, Kante's time as the Premier League's most lovable midfielder could soon come to an end. Persistently held back by injuries in recent seasons and now 31 years old, a change of pace could allow the Frenchman to prolong his career at the top of world football.
Kante has, however, indicated that he'd be keen to extend his stay in west London, telling Sky Sports earlier this year: "Yes, since I came here I've spent many great seasons, with the team, the managers and the fans. I hope we can carry on like this, keep winning, and that's the way I see the future."
Thiago Silva
A man who's done his best to defy father time since arriving in English football, Silva is another Stamford Bridge stalwart whose stint in blue looks to be coming to an end. After all, at 38, the ex-AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain rock can't go on forever.
Be that as it may, Silva could still provide a good service to plenty of suitors, as he rarely has any injury concerns. The brilliant Brazilian was quizzed his future ahead of Chelsea's 2-0 win in Milan on Tuesday, and his response gave little away.
"It is probably not the right time to talk about contracts," Silva stated. "The time will come to talk and it could be time before or after the World Cup. I need to decide my contract for my family arrangements and it is not easy. We will see what will happen."
Have your say! Which player on this list would be the best free signing? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
As for Graham Potter's verdict on the situation, the Blues boss noted: "The decision is Thiago's. I've been here three or four weeks and I see his qualities. He is an incredible person and player.
"The performance levels he can reach and the amount of respect he has in the game is incredible. All I can do is help him, enjoy his football here, and the rest is for him and the club to think about."
