Five out-of-contract stars Europe’s top clubs should be eyeing up

Pau Lopez

Last season was one of mid-table mediocrity for Espanyol. But it would’ve been much worse without Lopez between the posts.

The 23-year-old conceded a very respectable 31 goals in his 29 La Liga outings, including a pair of clean sheets against Atletico Madrid.

In the process, Periquitos chalked up a better defensive record than any side outside the top eight – as well as Real Madrid.

Unsurprisingly, the stopper wants to move on to bigger and better things. He’s reportedly been eyed up by Tottenham Hotspur, but right now there doesn’t seem to have been a firm suitor.

Jack Wilshere

It’s the end of an era for Wilshere, who departs boyhood club Arsenal after almost a decade in the first-team. The 26-year-old is bidding to revive his career after a raft of injuries had seen him fall down the pecking order at the Emirates.

A slew of Premier League clubs have unsurprisingly been linked, though they’re not the only ones sniffing around the midfielder.

As well as reported interest from Everton and West Ham United, AC Milan and Fenerbahce are reported to be keen.

Wilshere showed glimpses of his top level for the Gunners in last season’s Europa League campaign, including a virtuoso display against BATE Borisov. If anyone can bring those displays out of him regularly, he’ll prove a fine buy.

Milan Badelj

The departing Fiorentina captain was probably on a number of clubs’ radars ahead of the World Cup.

But the Croatian’s list of suitors will have grown after his display against Iceland on Tuesday night, where he grabbed a goal and an assist.

A number of big Premier League sides are currently in the market for a robust defensive midfielder with a good range of passing. The fact he’s available on a free could make the Zagreb native one of the buys of the summer.

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