Football clubs to chase free stars in summer

By Can Erozden and Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - Several football stars in Europe are set to be free at the end of the 2019-2020 season unless they sign contract with any club.

English club Tottenham Hotspur's Danish star Christian Eriksen, 27, is now the most valuable player among those free in 2020 summer with a market value of €90 million ($100.3 million), according to the football data website Transfermarkt.

The Denmark midfielder would be the main target of Europe's major clubs. Eriksen has been a key member for Tottenham, playing for the London club since 2013.

The Tottenham regular scored 69 goals and made 89 assists in 303 matches. Eriksen also helped his team reach the 2019 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid that Tottenham lost to Liverpool 2-0.

He previously played for Dutch heavyweights Ajax Amsterdam.

- Chelsea veteran Willian to consider options

Chelsea's Brazilian winger Willian Borges da Silva will be one of the summer bargains.

Willian, 31, is one of the important players for Chelsea and able to play as right winger or forward.

He became a Chelsea player in August 2013, and during his six-year-spell at the Blues, Willian tallied 57 goals and 58 assists in 319 matches.

Willian, a former Shakhtar Donetsk winger, became the 2019 UEFA Europa League winner with Chelsea.

He may leave London club in 2020 summer.

Willian's market value is €32 million ($35.6 million).

- Cavani likely to end 7-year PSG spell

Similar to Eriksen and Willian, Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani is set to be free this summer.

Cavani joined PSG from Napoli in July 2013 as the French club splashed money for him, €64.5 million or $73.5 million.

The 32-year-old star is still one of the most respected forwards, with 198 goals in 293 appearances for PSG.

Cavani has now a market value of €25 million ($27.8 million).

The PSG veteran is also an important player for Uruguay as he scored 50 goals in 116 appearances for the South American team.

The ex-Napoli forward earned the 2011 Copa America title with Uruguay.

- 2018 World Cup winner Matuidi set to test free agency market

This summer, football clubs are also expected to grip 32-year-old French midfielder Blaise Matuidi of Juventus.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has spent his best years at PSG, scoring 33 goals and produced 28 assists in 295 matches.

But Matuidi made his way to Juventus in August 2017.

The industrious central midfielder from France tallied eight goals in 111 appearances for Juve.

Matuidi was a UEFA EURO 2016 silver medalist with his nation over 1-0 loss to Portugal in the final at Stade de France.

The market value of Matuidi is now €18 million ($20 million).

- German hero Gotze may walk free

Mario Gotze, a German hero during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is set to be free agent in 2020 summer unless he signs contract with any club.

Germany have been crowned as the 2014 World Cup winners in Brazil's Rio De Janeiro as the single goal was scored by attacking midfielder Gotze against Argentina in the final's extra time.

Borussia Dortmund's Gotze, 27, is a midfielder, and played for Dortmund's bitter rivals Bayern Munich.

Gotze was promoted to Dortmund's senior team in 2010 and spent three years at this club.

Then in summer 2013, Bayern Munich signed him €37 million or $42.1 million transfer fee but Gotze returned to Dortmund in July 2016 for €22 million.

He scored 45 goals and made 61 assists in 214 matches for Dortmund.

During his three-season-term at Bayern Munich, Gotze clocked up 36 goals and 24 assists in 114 appearances.

The former Germany midfielder's value is €18 million ($20 million) as well.

- Croatia star Modric, one of popular summer targets

A Real Madrid midfielder from Croatia, Luka Modric would be chased by clubs this summer.

Modric joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 to bag major titles.

The 34-year old midfielder won four UEFA Champions League trophies in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Modric scored 22 goals and made 52 assists in 323 matches for Real Madrid.

He also helped Croatia qualify for the 2018 World Cup final, but Croatians were beaten by France 4-2 in Moscow.

Modric was named the best player of the World Cup, and received the Golden Ball award following his impressive performance in this tournament. He also won the 2018 Ballon d'Or award for the best player of the year to end Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's domination over the last decade.

His current market value is €15 million ($16.7 million).

- Silva may say 'good-bye' to Man City

Spanish midfielder David Silva may be one of the popular bargains, if his club Manchester City do not renew his deal.

Silva made his way to England when he became a Manchester City player in 2010.

The 34-year old midfielder produced 74 goals and 137 assists in 418 matches for Man City.

Silva was also part of Spain's golden generation, who helped the Spanish national team leave their stamp on the international tournaments in 2008-2012.

He won back-to-back UEFA EURO titles in 2008 and 2012. Silva was a Spain player when his country became world's number 1 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Silva scored 37 goals in 125 international appearances for Spain.

His current value is €15 million ($16.7 million).

These players are now free to talk with any club for their potential new moves in the 2020 summer transfer window.