By Can Erozden
ANKARA
Mid-season transfer window in Europe commonly referred as winter transfer window is set to begin on January 1, 2015, so all eyes will be on the football stars in Europe whose contracts running out at the end of the season.
The players, who will be free in June, are able to negotiate with any club six months before their contract expire and each can move freely at the end of the season.
According to the data compiled by an Anadolu Agency correspondent from the German-based football website "Transfermarkt," there are several star players in the shortlist who are going to be free on June 30, 2015 unless they sign contract with any club such as Real Madrid's German midfielder Sami Khedira, Juventus' Swiss full back Stephan Lichtsteiner, Manchester City wide midfielder James Milner, Inter's towering centre back Andrea Ranocchia, AC Milan's Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong and Zenit attacking midfielder Danny.
Sami Khedira, Real Madrid
Real Madrid's German defensive midfielder Sami Khedira tops the shortlist as "the most valuable player" with a market value of €30 million. Having signed from Bundesliga team Stuttgart for €14 million transfer fee in July of 2010, the 27-year-old, who played 152 matches for Real Madrid so far, helped Spanish giants win domestic division La Liga title in 2012 and UEFA Champions League title in 2014. In addition, he also witnessed 2014 FIFA World Cup title with Germany in summer.
Evgen Konoplyanka, Dnipro
Ukrainian football club Dnipro's 25-year-old winger Evgen Konoplyanka, whose market value is currently €17 million, is in second place in the list. Ukrainian left-winger Konoplyanka has been playing for Dnipro since 2008, and he managed to score 41 goals and produced 34 assists in 189 appearances. Konoplyanka is able to play as right winger and false nine as well.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, Juventus
Defending Italian Serie A champions Juventus' Swiss full-black Stephan Lichtstenier draws attention with his durability, stamina and rigid playing style. Switzerland National Football Team's 30-year-old regular is one of the integral parts of Torinese giants since July of 2011. Before his four-year spell at "Juve" Lichtstenier, whose value is €15 million, has also played for another Italian Serie A team, Lazio, and the French Ligue 1 club Lille.
James Milner, Manchester City
English top division Premier League's latest champions Manchester City's English wide midfielder James Milner will be free at the end of the season if he does not sign any contract until June 30. The 28-year-old English international valued at €14 million helped "City" be crowned as Premier League champions in 2012 and 2014. Milner has scored 12 goals and made 42 assists in 181 appearances at Manchester club.
Andrea Ranocchia, Inter
Italian Serie A team Inter's towering Italian centre-back Andrea Ranocchia is regarded as one of the important players of Milanese club. The 26-year-old defender joined Inter from another Serie A club, Genoa, in January of 2011 for €18.5 million. Standing at 1.95 m, Ranocchia is Inter's captain despite his young age. The Italian regular's market value is €13.5 million.
Rasmus Elm, CSKA Moscow
Russian club CSKA Moscow's Swedish central midfielder Rasmus Elm was purchased from the Dutch team AZ Alkmaar in July of 2012. Last season he missed five Russian Premier League matches owing to injuries. The 26-year-old midfielder has been capped 31 times and scored three goals for Sweden.
Andre Ayew, Olympique de Marseille
Ghanaian left winger Andre Ayew is an Olympique de Marseille veteran as the 25-year-old international has been brought up by the youth academy of "L'OM." Ayew witnessed two consecutive "Trophee des champions" (Champions' Trophy) in 2010 and 2011 and two back-to-back "Coupe de la Ligue" (French League Cup) titles in 2011 and 2012 at Olympique de Marseille. Ayew's current market value is €12.5 million.
Glen Johnson, Liverpool
English team Liverpool's 30-year-old English right-back Glen Johnson was transferred in July of 2009 from another English side, Portsmouth, with a €20.5 million transfer fee. Former Chelsea full-back helped his ex-team bag Premier League titles twice in 2005 and 2006. Johnson witnessed League Cup title in 2012 at Liverpool.
Nigel de Jong, AC Milan
Drawing attention with his combative and perseverant style in midfield, Dutch defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong has been playing for one of the most famous Italian clubs, AC Milan, since August of 2012. Before his 2.5 year spree at Milanese team, 30-year-old de Jong was also one of the indispensable players of his former clubs, Ajax and Manchester City since Dutch international played more than 100 games for Amsterdam club and "City" in the past seasons.
Danny, Zenit
Venezuela born Portuguese attacking midfielder Danny set to be free in June unless he signs with any deal until that month. The 31-year-old Portuguese was bought by Russian tycoons Zenit for €30 million transfer fee in the summer of 2008 from another Russian club, Dinamo Moscow. Former Sporting Lisbon member has scored 57 goals and produced 58 assists in 192 appearances for Saint Petersburg giants Zenit for 6.5 seasons. Danny does not stick to one position on the pitch as Portuguese international can play as combo winger as well. Zenit captain Danny's value is €10 million.
Shortlist composed of 20 players by their values in Europe whose contracts will be expiring at the end of the season are as follows:
| Player name |
Position |
Age |
Nationality |
Club |
Market value (Euro) |
| Sami Khedira |
Defensive midfielder |
27 |
German |
Real Madrid (ESP) |
€30 million |
| Evgen Konoplyanka |
Left winger |
25 |
Ukrainian |
Dnipro (UKR) |
€17 million |
| Stephan Lichtsteiner |
Right back |
30 |
Swiss |
Juventus (ITA) |
€15 million |
| James Milner |
Right midfielder |
28 |
English |
Manchester City (ENG) |
€14 million |
| Andrea Ranocchia |
Centre back |
26 |
Italian |
Inter (ITA) |
€13.5 million |
| Rasmus Elm |
Central midfielder |
26 |
Swedish |
CSKA Moscow (RUS) |
€13 million |
| Andre Ayew |
Left-winger |
25 |
Ghanaian |
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) |
€12.5 million |
| Glen Johnson |
Right back |
30 |
English |
Liverpool (ENG) |
€10 million |
| Nigel de Jong |
Defensive midfielder |
30 |
Dutch |
AC Milan (ITA) |
€10 million |
| Danny |
Attacking midfielder centre |
31 |
Portuguese |
Zenit (RUS) |
€10 million |
| Ignazio Abate |
Right back |
28 |
Italian |
AC Milan (ITA) |
€10 million |
| Dame N'Doye |
Striker |
29 |
Senegalese |
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) |
€10 million |
| Sebastian Giovinco |
Second striker |
27 |
Italian |
Juventus (ITA) |
€10 million |
| Alberto Aquilani |
Central midfielder |
30 |
Italian |
Fiorentina (ITA) |
€9 million |
| Emmanuel Adebayor |
Striker |
30 |
Togolese |
Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) |
€9 million |
| Stephane Mbia |
Defensive midfielder |
28 |
Cameroonian |
Sevilla (ESP) |
€9 million |
| Christopher Samba |
Centre back |
30 |
Congolese |
Dinamo Moscow (RUS) |
€9 million |
| Andre-Pierre Gignac |
Striker |
29 |
French |
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) |
€9 million |
| Maxi Pereira |
Right back |
30 |
Uruguayan |
Benfica (POR) |
€9 million |
| Mathieu Flamini |
Defensive midfielder |
30 |
French |
Arsenal (ENG) |
€8 million |
www.aa.com.tr/en
