Bundesliga was the first of the top five European leagues to resume after COVID-19 had put the whole world into a lockdown. Now that other leagues are set to follow suit, normalcy is slowly returning to the footballing world.
Once the current season ends, like every year, the transfer window will open but unlike every year, the upcoming window will be quieter, because many Bundesliga clubs have taken huge losses in revenue due to the coronavirus enforced break.
Not every team are blessed with the huge sums of money like Bayern Munich have, so other teams may need to get creative, and players who will become free agents this summer will have a long list of suitors lining up for them.
And that’s not all, we don’t know how long the current economic slowdown will last, maybe it could last for more than a year. If that’s the case, then Bundesliga clubs will be on the lookout for players who will become free agents in the summer of 2021 as well.
With that in mind, here is a team of Bundesliga players, whose contracts will expire in 2021:
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki (Dortmund)
The Swiss custodian began his career with Young Boys FC and travelled far and wide before signing with Freiburg in 2014. After impressing in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund came calling and the 29-year-old been with the BVB ever since, playing 204 matches, and keeping 74 clean sheets across all competitions.
Roman Burki has been linked with Chelsea lately, and it remains to be seen how this saga unfolds.
Right-back: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen skipper Lars Bender, who is the elder of the two Bender siblings, began his career with 1860 Munich. He joined Leverkusen three years later, in 2009, and has been a mainstay at the Bay Arena ever since.
Talks have been ongoing regarding a contract extension but nothing is official yet.
Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
Arguably one of the breakout stars of the Bundesliga this season, RB Leipzig sensation Dayot Upamecano has been linked to a host of clubs lately, with Arsenal having a keen interest in the Frenchman.
He’s a young ball-playing centre-back who has a good tackle on him. Judging by the scheme of things, he will most likely head for pastures anew soon.
Centre-back: Matthias Ginter (Monchengladbach)
Despite only 26, Matthias Ginter has already represented the likes of Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach in his career.
The German centre-back’s contract with Gladbach ends next summer. Although they an option of extending it one year further, which seems like the most logical thing to do for both parties.
Left-back: David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
Due to Bayern Munich’s defensive crisis this season, David Alaba has been filling in at centre-back. The Austrian been a revelation, showcasing just how versatile he can be.
Adept at playing in the midfield as well, the 27-year-old has been a one-man club all his life and talks have been ongoing to extend his contract, which is the most likely outcome.
Should things become complicated, Manchester City and Barcelona have been credited with having an interest in Alaba.
Central midfielder: Thiago (Bayern Munich)
A product of Barcelona’s famous youth academy – ‘La Masia’, Thiago Alcantara accompanied Pep Guardiola to the Bundesliga in 2013 and has been a mainstay in Bayern Munich’s success ever since.
He’s made 230 appearances for the Bavarians and the club have been in discussion with the player’s representatives as both parties are eager to continue the relationship.
Central defensive midfielder: Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)
The Spaniard made his mark at Athletic Bilbao and was snapped up by Bayern Munich in 2012.
Since then, the holding midfielder has played in multiple positions, including centre-back. Despite turning out 235 times for Bayern, he will be let go by the club as there have been no signs of a renewal, and Martinez has also hinted that he’s eager to leave.
Central midfielder: Kevin Kampl (RB Leipzig)
Owing to multiple injuries, Kevin Kampl has played just 9 games for RB Leipzig all season and it seems he will most likely become a free agent next summer as the Red Bull backed team are eager to cut their losses.
The Slovenian midfielder has represented the like of Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund earlier in his career, and certainly won’t have a shortage of suitors, given Kampl is only 29 years old right now.
Left-wing: Giovanni Reyna (Dortmund)
Signed from New York City FC ahead of the season, Giovanni Reyna has already made 12 appearances in the Bundesliga. Much has been expected from the up and coming 17-year-old, who scored his first goal in professional football in a cup game against Werder Bremen.
All signs point towards the fact that BVB will renew Reyna’s contract so he remains at the club beyond 2021.
Right-wing: Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen)
The versatile winger has been with Bayer Leverkusen since 2011, and in that period, he has earned 11 caps for Germany. Karim Bellarabi has played 37 matches this season, scoring six goals and setting up 12 more for his teammates.
He is currently evaluating his options, as Bellarabi remains undecided whether to renew his contract or seek a move away from the Bundesliga.
Striker: Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen)
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen striker Kevin Volland, although, since the appointment of Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have taken a step back.
The Germany international joined Leverkusen from Hoffenheim in 2016, and since then, he’s racked up 141 appearances, along with a tally of 49 goals and 31 assists. With no other teams showing interest, Volland is expected to renew his contract before the summer of 2021.
Here’s how the Bundesliga stars, whose contracts expire in 2021, would lineup:
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in