January is a critical time if you want to sign a future free agent. Clubs are able to sign players on pre-contracts, as of January 1st. Also, some clubs prefer to sell their soon-departing players in January, for a cut-price, rather than lose the players for nothing in the Summer. Here are five players who are out of contract next summer that Arsenal could sign. And surprise surprise, they are all either centre-backs or defensive midfielders!
1. Ron Vlaar
The 29-year-old Dutchman is out of contract with Villa next summer and, despite manager Paul Lambert’s desire to keep the towering centre-back, contract talks have stalled. Reports suggest that the Midlands side will accept £8 million in January to prevent Vlaar from leaving on a free next summer. With Manchester United also interested, Arsenal would have to move relatively quickly.
2. Fabian Schär
The highly-rated Swiss international is available on a free next summer, and the media seem to think the 22-year-old is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Arsenal and Juventus. Some reports claim that Schär is ‘close’ to a £9.5 million move to the Gunners in January, while conflicting rumours suggest that the Italian Giants have already agreed a contract in principle with the centre-back.