In the summer of 2022, the football world will see unprecedented superstars leave the club in free. In the summer of 2021, legends Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos left Barcelona and Real Madrid for Paris Saint-Germain. Although they are world-class stars, neither player has brought even a dime transfer fee to La Liga. The strength of the players is at its peak in the game, which is why more and more players are deciding to go to new teams. From the club's perspective, some stars are seen as more valuable players who can stay in the last six months of their contracts and then leave as free agents, rather than trading in for a sizable transfer fee at the January transfer window. Here are some of the options for stars who have left the clubs for free or are about to leave the clubs for free, after they joined the team at a hefty fee.
Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, €145 million)
PSG initially loaned Mbappe from Monaco and then bought him for €145 million, making him the second most expensive player of all time, behind teammate Neymar. Even with the deal, Mbappe has never really hidden his desire to one day become a Real Madrid player, and it looks like he will finally fulfill his wish in 2022 as the Bernabeu is ready to sign him as a free agent when his PSG contract expires. The French giants are naturally eager to keep their players, he is already the best player in the world, despite his youth, even in the final moments of the summer of 2021, rejected a 200 million euro bid from Real Madrid, hoping to persuade players to sign a new contract. However, it now seems inevitable that Mbappe will travel to the Bernabeu.
Pogba (Manchester United, €105 million)
For now, Pogba himself seems to want to leave, while Manchester United want him to stay, but exiting seems to be a matter of time, not whether or not. United have already given him a contract extension, but the Frenchman returned the contract in 2021 and the two sides have yet to agree on an improved contract. He appears to be on his way out of the club, though his next destination is unclear. When United made the World Cup-winning member their signing record, there were big expectations of him, but it looked like he was going to leave stubbornly.
Osman-Dembele (Barcelona, €105 million)
Dembele's contract with Camp Nou expires in June 2022 and the club is facing the real possibility of losing him, with they initially signing the player for €105 million. Negotiations between representatives of the French and Barca have been going on for months, and the latest round of talks has reportedly broken down due to Dembele's exorbitant wage demands. Barcelona's current financial situation is so dire that they will actively seek to sell Dembele in January for some symbolic transfer fees rather than having him leave the team for free in the summer. However, if no suitors show up this month, he will leave for free.
Bale (Real Madrid, €100 million)
When Bale's contract expires in the summer of 2022, he will leave Real Madrid, which is almost certain. In 2013, the Welshman joined the Galaxy from Tottenham for €100 million, becoming the most expensive player in the world at the time. He was a huge success in the Spanish capital, winning two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and four Champions League titles. Bale also scored crucial goals in two Champions League wins. However, his value and role have fallen sharply at Real Madrid over the past two years and when he finally leaves, people will not miss him.
Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain, €64 million)
Cavani became Paris Saint-Germain's greatest goalscorer of all time in his final season at the club before leaving under very bad circumstances. The Uruguayan was thrown off the bench after acquiring Mbappe and Neymar, who was allowed to leave for free, although PSG initially paid €64 million to sign him from Napoli in 2013. Obviously, the club doesn't need the money and when he joins Manchester United for free, the club doesn't seem to care much. In fact, he will leave Manchester United this summer as another free agent, but premier league teams have not paid any price for it.