Ronaldo and Messi headline stunning XI of players available for free next summer

Until Friday, we were considering putting the Egyptian at wing-back in our XI of players out of contract in 2023.

Such is the calibre of stars who could leave their clubs for nothing next summer, particularly up front.

While Salah will not be going anywhere, a bunch of massive names in the world of football have entered the last year of their current deals.

Once June 30 passes and less than a year remains on a player's contract, it is common knowledge that serious decisions need to be made - and fast.

Time is running out to cash in on high-value assets this summer, with price tags set to drop in January, as a possible exit looms next year.

This situation shifts power into the hands of players, who know their unique negotiating position and the threat of a free transfer could lead to a more lucrative new contract - either at their current club or elsewhere.

Despite this age-old pattern, clubs have still allowed some of the world's most famous names to drift into the final year of their contracts.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, football's two biggest superstars, are out of contract next summer at Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Also possibly available for free next summer is Real Madrid sensation Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski - who is attempting to leave the Bundesliga giants and join Barcelona.

Despite their age, all four players would be difficult to reject if they became available for nothing, as would some of the big names joining them in this XI.

Ronaldo isn't the only Manchester United star whose future needs sorting, with David De Gea and Luke Shaw's contracts also running out.

Chelsea have a similar problem - with N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva all set to depart in 2023 unless new deals can be agreed.

All this means that if clubs are on the hunt for a bargain, they might be able to assemble a pretty impressive XI next summer…