FEATURE | 5 U23 players with expiring contracts | OneFootball

Some of the biggest free transfers in football has seen Lionel Messi swap Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain and Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining Manchester United from PSG, but with a focus away from high-profile names, there are several players, under 23, whose futures are undetermined.

With expiring contracts in June 2025, here’s five players to watch out for.

Amad Diallo (22, Manchester United – Market Value: €25m)

In what’s been a turbulent season for Manchester United which has seen Ruben Amorim replace Erik ten Hag, a shining light – one of very few – is the performances of Amad Diallo. The Ivorian scored a stoppage time winner against Manchester City last month and has two goals and six assists in 17 Premier League games, five of the league contributions coming in eight games under Amorim.

But, with an expiring contract in June, Diallo is now free to speak to rival clubs. Manchester United would be foolish not to trigger the 22-year-old’s one-year extension clause.

Devyne Rensch (21, Ajax – MV: €12m)

21-year-old Devyne Rensch has become a mainstay in Ajax’s defence since making his debut under Erik ten Hag in November 2020 as a 17-year-old. Now with 153 games under his belt, and 15 caps for the Netherlands, Rensch is free to speak to other clubs with Italian side AS Roma showing significant interest in the Dutchman. A versatile defender that operates at centre-back and right-back, it would not be surprising to see Premier League sides enter the race to sign Rensch.

Rayan (18, Vasco da Gama – MV: €10m)

As reported by Ben Jacobs, Brighton, Ipswich and Southampton have all opened discussions to sign Brazilian attacker Rayan from Vasco da Gama. The 18-year-old youth international scored on his Brazil U20 debut in September and is regarded as one of the hottest talents. Capable of playing anywhere across a front three, Rayan has been likened to Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, with South American expert Nathan Joyes saying: “The physical, bulldozing forward has similar qualities to Taiwo Awoniyi – only with more elegance and skill with the ball at his feet.”

Nicola Zalewski (22, AS Roma – MV: €10m)

The AS Roma wing-back has shone in spells for both the Italian side and Poland in 2024, but the player’s future is likely away from the Stadio Olimpico. Relevo report that Marseille are interested in bringing Nicola Zalewski to the club in January.

Roony Bardghji (19, FC Copenhagen – MV: €9m)

If you play Football Manager, you’re probably accustomed to the wonderkid, Roony Bardghji. The Swede, who hasn’t played this season due to a cruciate ligament injury, is expected to return in February but whether the winger will be playing for Copenhagen next season remains to be seen.

Get Football | Daniel Pinder