Berbatov, Nasri & co - the European stars whose contract expired in 2012

       Ever since the inception of the Bosman ruling in 1995, clubs can no longer afford to focus only on the short term, and thus often open contract negotiations with their players long before their deals are set to expire. If the player in question refuses to sign an extension, teams must make a decision as to whether they want to cash in, or hold on to the individual for another year before watching them depart on a free transfer.

One of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the moment is the potential move of Arsenal's Samir Nasri to domestic rivals Manchester United. The France international has yet to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2012, and United are closely monitoring his situation.

Listed below are footballers that I believe who still have their best days ahead of them:

ERIC ABIDAL | Barcelona, Left-back, 31

SEASON STATS Appearances 26 Goals 0 Assists 0 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €10m Interested clubs -

The experienced defender emerges from a quite remarkable season. Abidal endured a disastrous summer with the French national side at the 2010 World Cup, but at club level with Barcelona the full-back enjoyed regular minutes in their successful side. In March of this year, he was dealt a serious blow when he was diagnosed with a liver tumour.

However, Abidal's resolve saw him back in action less then two months later, helping the club clinch La Liga and the Champions League in spectacular fashion. He decided to put talks over a contract extension on hold during his absence, and despite his contract only having a year to run, the left-back is now reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal until 2014.

DIMITAR BERBATOV | Manchester United, Striker, 30

SEASON STATS Appearances 32 Goals 20 Assists 4 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €12m Interested clubs Tottenham, Bayern Munich

Berbatov has played his part in Manchester United's successful season, as they added the Premier League title to their trophy cabinet and also reached the Champions League final. However, despite ending the season as leading league goalscorer with 20 strikes, the Bulgarian was left out of the squad to face Barcelona in the final of Europe's elite tournament, much to his dismay.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star has made it clear that he will not sign a new deal at Old Trafford, but is unsure whether he will leave Old Trafford this summer. Clubs such as Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have been linked with the cultured forward, but he could well decide to stay put and run down his contract.

GAEL CLICHY | Arsenal, Left-back, 25

SEASON STATS Appearances 33 Goals 0 Assists 1 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €6m Interested clubs Man City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Inter

Clichy is one of the longest-serving members of the current Arsenal squad, having made close to 200 Premier League appearances for the Gunners. Nevertheless, the left-back still hasn't convinced his critics, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates in the close season.

The full-back appears reluctant to pen a new deal and has reportedly told his agent to begin searching for a new club. Bayern Munich, Inter and Manchester City are all keen to add Clichy to their ranks, but Liverpool appear to be in pole position, as Kenny Dalglish's side have already made a formal approach for the defender, and talks are reportedly ongoing.

DANIELE DE ROSSI | Roma, Midfielder, 27

SEASON STATS Appearances 28 Goals 2 Assists 4 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €20m Interested clubs Real Madrid, Manchester United

De Rossi has developed into a club icon at Roma since making his Serie A debut some 10 years ago. Nevertheless, the Italy international has struggled with discipline this season and there have been rumours that he could be on his way out of the capital giants.

Real Madrid and Manchester United have both been linked with a move, but despite his fiery temper on the pitch, it appears very unlikely that the midfielder will vacate the Stadio Olimpico. With the recent boardroom takeover, the future looks bright again for Roma, and there's little doubt that De Rossi will extend his stay in the Italian capital.

MAICON | Inter, Right-back, 29

SEASON STATS Appearances 28 Goals 1 Assists 8 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €15m Interested clubs Real Madrid

Maicon was close to joining Real Madrid last year when the club's head coach Jose Mourinho expressed his desire to lure the Brazil international to Santiago Bernabeu. Both clubs failed to reach an agreement over a transfer fee then, and the defender eventually stayed in Italy for another year.

Despite a distinctly average season at Giuseppe Meazza, Mourinho again appears to be eager to bring the marauding full-back to Spain, and a transfer could be more likely this time, as Inter are ready to cash in on the ageing star. Madrid have yet to make a formal approach for the defender, but this transfer saga looks far from over.

FLORENT MALOUDA | Chelsea, Attacker, 31

SEASON STATS Appearances 38 Goals 13 Assists 5 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €10m Interested clubs Liverpool, Inter

Malouda enjoyed a fantastic start to the season as he shook off his French World Cup 2010 frustration with a number of scintillating performances to help Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table. However, the versatile attacker has since failed to replicate this fine form and Chelsea do not appear to be in a hurry to tie Malouda down.

Although there has not been any concrete interest for the former Lyon man, a number of recent reports have suggested that Chelsea could include him in a potential deal for Inter's Wesley Sneijder. Additionally, Liverpool are believed to be monitoring his progress, but Malouda has discussed his intention to stay with Chelsea until the end of his career, and a transfer remains unlikely at this stage.

JEREMY MENEZ | Roma, Attacking midfielder, 24

SEASON STATS Appearances 32 Goals 2 Assists 3 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €12m Interested clubs Milan, Juve, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd

Menez has the individual quality to single-handedly decide a match, but has all too often failed to impress during his time at Roma. The young forward has consequently struggled to truly make an impact in Serie A, and the fact his car was attacked by angry supporters in the second half of the season suggests his future is likely to lie elsewhere.

Fellow Italian outfits such as AC Milan and Juventus have shown an interest in signing the France international, but Menez is thought to be leaning more toward a move abroad. Either way, it seems certain that the former Sochaux star will not be wearing the Roma jersey next year, and a contract extension appears out of the question.

SAMIR NASRI | Arsenal, Attacking midfielder, 23

SEASON STATS Appearances 30 Goals 10 Assists 1 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €20m Interested clubs Man Utd, Man City

There has been speculation regarding the future of Samir Nasri at Arsenal since the tricky winger postponed contract talks with the Premier League outfit earlier this year. He is believed to be content at the club that brought him to the Premier League from Marseille in 2008, but his reluctance to sign an improved contract earlier this year is down to hard cash.

Clubs such as Manchester United and City have less concern with offering their players an excessive wage packet, and they are closely monitoring Nasri's situation. Negotiations between the attacking midfielder and Arsenal are expected to continue, but the London club do not want Nasri to move on a free next year, meaning that if he doesn't sign a new deal, a summer move is a realistic option.

MAARTEN STEKELENBURG | Ajax, Goalkeeper, 28

SEASON STATS Appearances 26 Clean sheets 13 Goals - TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €10m Interested clubs Man Utd, Arsenal, Roma, Atletico Madrid

Stekelenburg has developed into one of the continent's best goalkeepers in the past few seasons and the Netherlands' No. 1 has caught the attention of a number of European giants with his excellent performances. The Ajax star had initially set his sights on a move to Manchester United, but Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly swoop for Atletico Madrid's David de Gea instead.

Stekelenburg has since considered a contract offer from Ajax, but the shot-stopper could still be on his way out of the Amsterdam ArenA, as Roma have reportedly been in contact with the Dutch international. A move to Serie A is tempting for the Dutchman, but a transfer is some way away.

ARTURO VIDAL | Bayer Leverkusen, Midfielder, 24

SEASON STATS Appearances 33 Goals 10 Assists 11 TRANSFER FILE Transfer value €15m Interested clubs Bayern Munich, Napoli

Vidal was the driving force behind Bayer Leverkusen's Champions League qualification this term as he netted 10 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances. Additionally, he provided 11 assists and it is of little surprise that German powerhouse Bayern Munich are keen to sign him. They face competition from Napoli, but Vidal reportedly prefers to follow head coach Jupp Heynckes to Bavaria.

The interest of Bayern emerged as Leverkusen were close to tying Vidal down until the summer of 2014, and a contract extension does not seem to be a realistic option at this moment.


Do you have any other footballer wanna add to this list?