With the transfer market in full swing, we’ve seen Premier League clubs flex their financial muscles, but there is a section of the market that remains mostly untouched.

In football transfer business, there is one area clubs can target that gives them better negotiating power: players who have less than a year remaining on their current contracts. That leverage leads to potential opportunities for clubs that ordinarily wouldn’t have been possible before.

We’ve decided to collate the best 10 Premier League players whose deals expire in June 2027, and we’ve ranked them by pure quality right now and standing on the market — and their contract statuses are correct as of the time of writing.

How we ranked them: current form and quality first, then influence on their team, with contract situation as the qualifying filter rather than the ranking metric.

10

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)

It has been a difficult 12–18 month period for Liverpool‘s Harvey Elliott. A favourite under Jürgen Klopp, he was included in every single matchday squad of the 2023-24 campaign, but now he finds his career in a state of stagnation.

A failed loan at Aston Villa leaves him to return to Anfield, where he’ll want to impress new manager Andoni Iraola — but the most likely outcome is a move away, either in this window or in six-to-12 months’ time. Yet, at 23, he still has so much more to give.

9

Jack Grealish (Man City)

On loan at Everton from Manchester City, Jack Grealish saw his form quickly resurface as he became the creative outlet for David Moyes‘ solid, resolute side. He had five goal contributions in his first six starts, though his output tailed off with just three across his next 11 league appearances.

Perhaps the return to regular starts was a shock to the system after two years of bit-part appearances under Pep Guardiola. The second half of his campaign was then wiped out by a foot injury, with his last appearance coming in January.

His long-term future rests with City, where new boss Enzo Maresca must decide in the summer whether Grealish figures in his plans or is sold for good — Everton hold a £50m option to buy. With his City deal expiring next year, this is the natural moment for a permanent switch.

8

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

One of Liverpool’s best academy products of the past decade is also in a career quandary. Well-liked by both Klopp and Arne Slot, Curtis Jones has never nailed down a permanent midfield spot and has drawn transfer interest across the past six-to-12 months.

Serie A could be the destination, with Inter Milan hoping to land a bargain, but it will come down to Iraola’s preference. His technical gifts would certainly thrive in Italy if that move materialised but Nottingham Forest have also been linked.

7

Lisandro Martínez (Man Utd)

A key starter for club and country, Lisandro Martínez has been dogged by injuries since moving to Manchester United, with cruciate ligament and calf problems combining to limit him to fewer than 20 games in all competitions last season.

However, when he’s fit, he starts — and the 28-year-old proved at the World Cup that he should remain central for Michael Carrick next season. He faces a decision in the next 12 months: commit to United, or seek one final grand move.

6

Alisson (Liverpool)

Caean Couto / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Alisson Becker has been one of the standout goalkeepers in world football since moving to Liverpool in 2018, and with over 300 games and several major trophies, he can look back on a sensational Merseyside career. How much longer that continues is unclear.

Reports of a move away have been circulating and, at 33, he has a decision to make. His fitness isn’t quite what it was — he missed 18 games across the Premier League and Champions League — and both club and player will need to settle on the next chapter, together.

5

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

via Reuters

The French striker has already flirted with an exit and, at 29, a big move is now-or-never. Despite an up-and-down campaign, he lifted the Europa Conference League and netted 12 league goals, following up his 14 from the year before.

Strong, direct and a real handful for defenders, Jean-Philippe Mateta would be a shrewd signing for a European side — the likeliest outcome, particularly in the wake of Oliver Glasner’s exit.

4

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

One of the young players Mikel Arteta has honed over his tenure, Gabriel Martinelli finds himself a backup in the current Arsenal setup, starting half their Champions League games and only 11 in their title-winning campaign.

At 25, he doesn’t look to be heading anywhere, and a new deal seems the likeliest outcome, even if Arsenal‘s left flank is an area to strengthen. With Leandro Trossard reported to be on his way out, the Brazilian will likely remain.

3

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Action Images via Reuters

Universally regarded as one of the finest defenders of the past eight or so years, Virgil van Dijk is in the final stretch of his career at the top level and must weigh his next steps. With Mohamed Salah having exited at the end of last season, his own thoughts will turn to the future — a move to a major club could still happen, even at 34.

He isn’t quite as imperious as he was, but there’s still time to forge another chapter in a Liverpool shirt, or elsewhere.

2

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

Rodrigo Antunes via Reuters

The Premier League’s record-breaking playmaker has been a true talisman for United across the past five years, but he too stands at a critical point. With the Red Devils back among Europe’s elite, he’ll be front and centre once again.

Now 31, from the outside looking in, he is good enough to join a side genuinely challenging for trophies — which United aren’t — but the bond he has built at Old Trafford makes a departure hard to see just yet. There still feels like unfinished business.

1

Rodri (Man City)

A former Ballon d’Or winner was always going to top this list, even if the form that won him the award may never fully return. Having suffered a major injury just after claiming the global prize, he has struggled to rediscover those heights.

With Maresca bringing in Elliot Anderson, Rodri will be afforded more rotation after a season disrupted by groin, knee and hamstring trouble. Now 30, his very best days may be behind him — but on his day, he remains good enough to decide the biggest games.

England’s long wait for World Cup glory has stretched for 60 years, but with another talented generation chasing football’s biggest prize, supporters are daring to dream once again. If the ‘Three Lions‘ were to go all the way and lift the trophy, celebrations would almost certainly sweep the country.

That raises a question many fans ask every time England enjoy a deep run at a major tournament: would the government declare a bank holiday?

Calls for an extra day off have followed previous successes in football, cricket and other major sporting events, but there is no automatic rule that a World Cup triumph would lead to one.

Will There Be a Bank Holiday if England Win the World Cup?

Paul Childs via Reuters

While it is still unclear as to whether or not the Prime Minister would be willing to announce a day of national celebration, should England win the World Cup, Keir Starmer is yet to rule it out.

Speaking in July at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, the PM refused to be drawn into giving a concrete answer when asked about a potential day of mass celebrations, saying:

Starmer’s comments came after England’s thrilling 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16, which saw Jude Bellingham get his name on the scoresheet twice in two minutes, before Harry Kane’s 60th minute penalty secured a nervy win following Jarell Quansah’s red card early in the second half.

Speaking about the game, the PM hailed the victory as “one of the best England performances I’ve ever seen.”

There had already been calls for the Prime Minister to announce a World Cup-related bank holiday, after the Scottish parliament granted a one-off bank holiday following their early morning clash with Haiti in the group stage.

According to The Guardian, Starmer is expected to announce a bank holiday if England get their hands on the famous trophy. However, given that he will be handing over the keys to No.10 following his resignation from his post, it will likely be his expected successor, Andy Burnham, who would welcome Harry Kane and the boys home, if they go all the way.

When Could it Be?

Some fans have suggested that Monday 20th July, the day after the final, would be the most appropriate day for the public to stay home and celebrate. If that were to be the case, it would likely help to prevent the scenes observed in workplaces up and down the country following England’s thrilling victory over Mexico, which saw pubs given special permission to stay open until 5am following the delayed 2am kick-off time, and resulted in some sore heads stumbling into work just hours later.

The PM stepped in to ensure that the kick-off time against Mexico remained unchanged, after FIFA revealed plans to bring the game forward, with the game under threat due to a looming thunderstorm over the Azteca.

However, it is unlikely to be the Monday after the final as the 20th is expected to be Andy Burnham’s first day in office. Therefore, any celebrations are expected to be put on ice until later in the week to prevent a clash of schedules.

Instead, reports from GB News have suggested that Friday 24th July, one week after the final in New Jersey, has been earmarked as a potential date, which would coincide with the players’ homecoming and trophy parade.

Has it Happened Before?

Whilst many fans clamored for a bank holiday to celebrate the successes of the England Lionesses, after the women’s national team secured back-to-back European championships in 2022 and 2025, the UK has never been given a day of national celebration following sporting success, even after the ‘Three Lions’ lifted the Jules Rimet trophy back in 1966.

Instead, the Lionesses were welcomed back to the UK with a reception at Downing Street, having returned from Switzerland as Euro winners in 2025. Although, Starmer has previously hinted at a celebratory bank holiday, saying that their 2022 triumph should be “marked with a proper day of celebration.”

England’s Bank Holidays in 2026

Paul Childs via Action Images via Reuters

Only three bank holidays will remain if England fail to force another one by winning the World Cup. Britons will be able to soak up the last of the summer sun over the summer bank holiday on Monday 30th August, whilst the Christmas and Boxing Day bank holidays will be moved to Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December respectively, as the festive period falls on a weekend this year.

Morocco’s rise on the international stage has made them one of world football’s most inspiring success stories. From becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, to establishing themselves among the continent’s elite, the ‘Atlas Lions’ have built a squad capable of competing with the very best.

But beneath that success lies a fascinating story of identity, migration and football development. Whilst Morocco represents a nation of over 38 million people, just seven members of their current 26-man squad were actually born in the country, meaning that head coach Mohamed Ouahbi could potentially field a Moroccan XI consisting entirely of players who were born outside the nation.

So where were the players in the Moroccan squad born?

Canada – 1

Morocco’s 35-year-old shot stopper, Yassine Bounou, was born some 6000km away from the nation which he represents. ‘Bono’, who featured against his birth nation in Morocco’s 3-0 victory in the round of 16, was offered a spot in the Canadian national team by former coach Benito Floro, but the goalkeeper swore his allegiance to the homeland of his parents.

His father, Mehmed, taught physics at a university in Montreal, with his mother, Maica, working as a hairdresser. After almost ten years, the pair, along with a three-year-old Bounou, decided to move back to Casablanca.

Belgium – 3

Alongside head coach Ouahbi, who has Moroccan roots but was born in Brussels, three of Morocco’s squad members were born in Belgium. Fullback Zakaria El Ouahdi, who plays in the Belgian Pro league with Genk, was born in Hoboken in the Antwerp Province, whilst former Leicester midfielder, Bilal El Khannouss, was also born in northern Belgium.

Chemsdine Talbi, who came through the ranks at Club Brugge and was reportedly wanted by West Ham before making the switch to Sunderland last summer, was also born in Belgium, in the city of Sambreville.

Netherlands – 3

Much like their European neighbors, the Netherlands serves as the birthplace for over 10% of the Moroccan national team. Sofyan Amrabat, whose eye-catching performances at the 2022 World Cup secured him a loan move to Manchester United, featured for both Utrecht and Feyenoord in the early stages of his career, having been born in the Dutch town of Huizen.

Former Manchester United teammate Noussair Mazraoui was also born in the Netherlands and kickstarted his career with Ajax before moving to German giants Bayern Munich. Similarly, left back Anass Salah-Eddine also honed his craft in the Dutch capital, having been born in Amsterdam.

France – 6

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Almost a quarter of Morocco’s entire 26-man squad could have featured for ‘Les Blues’ by right of birthplace. Centre-back duo Issa Diop and Redouane Halhal were both born in France, whilst Ayyoub Bouaddi and Samir El Mourabet both still compete in the birth nation, for Lille and Strasbourg respectively.

Gessime Yassine also plays for Strasbourg, having moved from Dunkerque during the 2026 January transfer window, whilst Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui started out at Ligue 2 side Nancy.

Spain – 6

Caean Couto via Reuters

Similarly, a sizable portion of the Moroccan squad were born across the Alboran Sea in Spain. National team captain, Achraf Hakimi, was born in the Spanish capital of Madrid, before starting his professional career with Real. Current Real Madrid star, Brahim Diaz, initially represented Spain, earning a single cap after an international friendly against Lithuania in 2021 before switching to represent Morocco.

Shotstopper Munir Mohamedi was actually born on the North African coast in the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla, whilst Crystal Palace centre-half Chadi Riad was also born in Spain. The two remaining Spanish-born Moroccans are Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ayoube Amaimouni and Bayern Munich’s recent transfer Ismael Saibari.

Morocco – 7

Just over a quarter of the entire Moroccan national team were actually born within the borders of the country they represent. Goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti still plays his domestic football in his birth country, with FAR Rabat, whilst Marwane Saadane started his career at rivals FUS Rabat, before a stint in Turkey saw him move to Al Fateh FC in Saudi Arabia.

Defender Youssef Belammari played in Morocco for seven years before moving to Egypt’s Al Ahly SC, whilst 26-year-old Azzedine Ounahi has featured in three top-flight divisions across Europe. Forwards Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi were both born in the North African nation, whilst Angers’ winger Amine Sbaï was born in Sidi Kacem.