With the World Cup just around the corner, the Premier League season is about to undergo a six-week hiatus. Whilst players who aren't going to the competition will have the chance to work on their fitness, club executives will be looking ahead to the January transfer window.
Premier League clubs are free to start negotiations with any out-of-contract player outside of England in order to try and tempt them to sign a pre-contract agreement to join next summer. Plenty of stars are currently available, including seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.
With that in mind, football.london has taken a brief look at the players who could be on Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham's radar.
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Lionel Messi
After a difficult first season in Ligue 1, Messi has started to show that he's still one of the best players in the world. With 11 goals and 13 assists across all competitions this campaign, Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to keep him at the club, but Inter Miami's desire to see him move to the US isn't wavering.
According to the Athletic, Messi's representatives and Inter Miami have long been in communication with each other as the latter tries to sound out just how likely a transfer could be. The report adds that the MLS side, who are owned by David Beckham, are increasingly confident that Messi will soon be their player.
Whether Premier League clubs are interested in hijacking a move remains to be seen, but as arguably the greatest player of all time, signing the Argentine on a free transfer is an exciting proposition.
Marco Asensio
Asensio has long been linked with a transfer to the Gunners but a deal has never materialised. Now 26, the Spanish star has fallen out of favour at Real Madrid and is a good option for plenty of teams. His injury record is an understandable concern, but he's hugely talented and experienced. It's a gamble but one that might be worth taking.
Evan Ndicka
Mainz star Ndicka is probably going to be one of the most sought after centre-backs over the next few months. He can fit in perfectly in a back three, making him a suitable option for both Chelsea and Spurs, whilst he could also be the left-sided option Arsenal need to make a more reliable partner for William Saliba.
Konrad Laimer
Laimer has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past but he could do a job in a number of Premier League midfields. He's also a versatile option as he can fill in at right-back. Plus, aged still only 25, he has time on his side and could improve under any of Antonio Conte, Graham Potter or Mikel Arteta.
Milan Skriniar
Skriniar has been linked with a move to Tottenham for more than a year now. Inter Milan made a strong pitch to keep him in the Serie A by making him the club's captain, but if he does fancy a new challenge, he could be persuaded to move to England.
Thomas Lemar
Arsenal famously made a £92million offer to Monaco for Lemar on Deadline Day in 2017. He eventually moved to Atletico Madrid where he hasn't really hit the heights people expected of him. The Gunners got away with one it seems, but he's still an experienced option, and as Arsenal evidently need depth in the winger position, a short-term contract wouldn't be the worst of moves.
Memphis Depay
Barcelona have been looking to get Depay off their books for quite a while. The Dutch star tried and failed in the Premier League at Manchester United, but as an experienced forward, he could be destined for better things a second time round.
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