The 2027 expiry wave
Every year, a group of high-profile players enter the final 12 months of their contracts. This is the window where leverage shifts from club to player, where pre-contract agreements become possible in January, and where some of the best value deals in football can be found.
The skouted.ai expiring contract tracker has identified a significant group of players with contracts ending in June 2027. Ten months remain. Here are the key names and what they mean for the market.
The headline cases
Joao Felix (Al-Nassr, CAM, 81 OVR)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Portugal |
| Market Value | EUR 25-31M |
| UV Score | 27 |
| Deal Score | 58 |
Felix’s career trajectory has been one of football’s most debated stories. From Benfica prodigy to Atletico Madrid record signing to Chelsea loan spells to Al-Nassr, the Portuguese playmaker has not settled anywhere. Now 26, his contract in Saudi Arabia expires in 10 months. A return to European football seems likely, and with his market value still substantial, a pre-contract agreement in January could represent good value for a club willing to take the risk.
Richarlison (Tottenham, ST, 81 OVR)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Nationality | Brazil |
| Market Value | EUR 22.5-27.5M |
| UV Score | 22 |
| Deal Score | 59 |
Richarlison’s time at Tottenham has been mixed. Injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from establishing himself as a reliable starter. With 10 months left on his contract, Spurs face a decision: extend, sell now, or risk losing him for free. His market value of EUR 22.5-27.5 million could be available at a discount.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton, LW, 80 OVR)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Nationality | Japan |
| Market Value | EUR 20-24M |
| UV Score | 22 |
| Deal Score | 59 |
Mitoma’s dribbling ability made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers, but injuries have limited his impact. Brighton’s model of selling players at the right time suggests they may be open to offers. At 28, he is in his peak years, and a discounted deal could represent excellent value.
The hidden value cases
Beyond the headline names, the expiring list contains several players with high UV scores who represent genuine value opportunities:
| Player | Club | Pos | OVR | Age | UV Score | Deal Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Saipi | FC Lugano | GK | 80 | 25 | 77 | 73 |
| Fabio Abreu | Beijing Guoan | ST | 80 | 32 | 79 | 73 |
| Y. Ayari | Brighton | CM | 83 | 22 | 43 | 72 |
| Geovany Tcherno Quenda | Sporting CP | CM | 84 | 18 | 45 | 72 |
| Antonio Silva | Benfica | CB | 81 | 22 | 43 | 68 |
| H. Hackney | Middlesbrough | CM | 82 | 23 | 43 | 65 |
| Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal | LW | 85 | 24 | 29 | 68 |
| C. Bassey | Fulham | CB | 81 | 26 | 27 | 63 |
| C. Richards | Crystal Palace | CB | 81 | 25 | 27 | 63 |
| R. Sessegnon | Fulham | CB | 80 | 25 | 27 | 63 |
The standout: A. Saipi (FC Lugano, 80 OVR, UV 77, Deal Score 73)
A goalkeeper with 80 OVR, 77 UV score, and a deal score of 73 is one of the most compelling value opportunities on the entire list. Saipi has been consistently rated highly by the skouted.ai model and his contract situation creates a rare opportunity for a club to acquire a high-quality goalkeeper at a discount.
The wildcard: Geovany Tcherno Quenda (Sporting CP, 84 OVR, Age 18)
An 18-year-old with an 84 OVR and a contract expiring in 10 months. Sporting CP are known for selling their best talent, but if no extension is signed, this could become the most consequential free transfer of 2027.
What this means for the market
The 2027 expiry wave is particularly rich in Premier League talent. clubs like Arsenal (Martinelli), Manchester City (Foden, Rodri), Manchester United (Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez), Tottenham (Richarlison), Brighton (Mitoma, Ayari), Crystal Palace (Richards), and Fulham (Bassey, Sessegnon) all face contract decisions in the next 10 months.
For buying clubs, the strategy is clear. Wait until January, negotiate a pre-contract agreement, and acquire proven talent without a transfer fee. The savings can be enormous.
AI Verdict: Watch
The 2027 expiry list contains a mix of superstar names and hidden value. The high UV score players (Saipi, Abreu) offer the best value, while the headline names (Felix, Richarlison, Mitoma) carry more risk but also more upside. Monitor this space closely as January approaches.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai