When the European Court of Justice passed the Bosman ruling in 1995, courtesy of Jean-Marc Bosman, it changed the beautiful game forever.
The allowing of footballers to move freely between teams upon the expiration of their contracts not only shifted power away from clubs and into the hands of the players, but also created a new and incredibly cheap sector of the transfer market – the bargain bin, if you will.
Indeed, clubs can now sign players on ‘free transfers’ without having to spend a penny, or alternatively snap them up a couple of months early at incredibly little cost.
With that in mind and the end of the season by no means as far away as it may seem, Football FanCast have been running the rule over some of world football’s top talents whose contracts expire in summer 2016.
This article focuses on Premier League outfit Everton, who are often praised for their savviness in the transfer market. Will they prove it once again by targeting some of these FIVE Bosman-bound bargains in January?
JOEL MATIP
Everton started the season a little lightweight at the heart of defence and could see their centre-half depth further affected in the next two transfer windows, should Chelsea return for long-term target John Stones.
One Bosman-inspired replacement comes in the form of Schalke’s Joel Matip. He’s by no means an exact replica of the England international but does share a few important traits, most notably a slim yet athletic build, a sharp turn of pace and quality on the ball.
In fact, the Cameroon international is so consistent in possession that he’s spent as much of his career in midfield as at the back. But the versatile 24-year-old has made the centre-back berth his own at the Veltins Arena this season, averaging 1.3 tackles, 3.3 interceptions, 5.1 clearances and 4.1 successful aerial duels per match from his twelve Bundesliga outings.
Schalke will be desperate to hold onto a defender who has been at the club since eight years of age, especially now that he’s emerging as one of their most consistent performers. But the Miners haven’t tied Matip down to a new deal yet and should the situation remain in the same in January, they’ll undoubtedly be tempted to cash in.
CHARLIE AUSTIN
Whether you’re relegation fodder, title material or somewhere in between, QPR striker Charlie Austin has something to offer.
The 26-year-old was nothing short of phenomenal during his debut Premier League campaign, finishing up as the division’s fourth-top scorer with 18 goals despite fronting a Rangers side who finished rock bottom of the table.
Injuries have affected his game-time somewhat in recent weeks but the 6 foot 2 centre-forward’s strike-rate is still holding strong in the Championship; seven goals in twelve outings so far this term.
He’s unlikely to replace Romelu Lukaku any time soon but Austin’s natural goal scoring instincts make him a useful threat from the bench. Furthermore, due to his contract expiring at the end of the season, Mirror Football reckon the former non-leaguer will be available for just £8million in January.
SAM BYRAM
Another star from the Football League, albeit one more commonly associated with a move to Goodison Park. Everton were linked with Leeds United’s Sam Byram during the summer and will almost certainly be taking an interest in his contract verging upon its final six months.
The 22-year-old hasn’t quite materialised into the ‘Gareth Bale of the right-hand side’ mooted when first emerging at Elland Road at the start of the 2012/13 season, winning the Whites’ Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards during his debut campaign.
But how much that can be attributed to the chaotic environment Massimo Cellino has brought to Elland Road rather than Byram simply failing to live up to his potential remains a matter of great debate.
He certainly seems worth the punt, as a versatile young Englishman of prodigious ability, and Goodison Park would certainly be a better habitat to nurture his stuttering progress.
Due to his age, however, the Toffees would have to pay a compensation fee to sign Byram on pre-contract terms.
TONNY VILHENA
Another young player more than worth the punt at a nominal fee, Tonny Vilhena has struggled to live up to expectations since a phenomenal 2013/14 campaign but certainly has time to steer his progress back on the right path at just 20 years of age.
Indeed, the prodigious attacking midfielder claimed six goals and eight assists in 37 appearances that season but has found just one apiece since, both coming this term in two of his five Eredivisie outings from the bench.
Boasting 17 goals and 59 caps for the Netherlands across the junior levels, Vilhena’s potential remains undoubted and attracted interest from Southampton during the summer – always a good sign considering the St. Mary’s outfit’s rather incredible recent record in the transfer market.
Seemingly still rather low in the pecking order at De Kuip, Feyenoord are unlikely to put up much of a fight if they’re approached with a decent offer in January. Likewise, Everton could sign Vilhena on pre-contract terms for a small compensation fee.
Toffees fans shouldn’t expect fireworks straight away, however. Despite already making 96 senior appearances, Vilhena is very much one for the future.
EVER BANEGA
Everton aren’t exactly in dire need of another option at central midfield but an injection of Champions League quality into their starting line-up certainly wouldn’t go amiss – especially on a free transfer.
At which point I direct your attentions to Ever Banega, who has not only plied his trade in Europe’s top competition with current employers Sevilla but also former club Valencia.
Once a target of Manchester United and Arsenal, to name a few, the Argentina international is back to his best following a few years out of the limelight. He helped Sevilla claim a second consecutive Europa League title last term and this season has bagged two goals and one assist in five La Liga outings.
Equally adept at No.10 or in central midfield, the 27-year-old is best famed for his playmaking abilities – something which should suit the Roberto Martinez philosophy perfectly.
It would be incredibly surprising if Sevilla didn’t attempt to extend his contract past the end of the season but no deal has materialised just yet – coincidentally leading to reports of a move to Everton over the weekend, courtesy of The Metro.
