FIFA rules allow three Liverpool players to enter negotiations with new clubs

Liverpool Football Club bid goodbye to five players last summer and could say goodbye to another four in 2024 with contracts set to expire at the end of the season.

Jurgen Klopp oversaw a major squad overhaul before the start of the 2023/24 season, heeding calls from supporters to revamp the midfield.

Further transfers are expected this month and the summer as another three players have entered the final six months of their Liverpool contracts and are free to talk to interested clubs now that the winter transfer window has opened.

Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Adrian have contracts set to expire on 30 June 2024 and with Liverpool not planning to sell them in January, they will leave the club for free.

Conor Bradley would have been on this list but Liverpool are set to extend his terms after agreeing on personal terms for a new deal.

FIFA rules allow three Liverpool players to enter negotiations with new clubs

They can now begin to plan their next transfer steps with FIFA rules allowing them to enter negotiations with interested clubs without needing permission from Liverpool to do so.

Rule 18.3 on the "Maintenance of contractual stability between professionals and clubs" sheds light on the matter.

The rule states: "A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player's current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him."

However, players can freely enter into negotiations with a new club "if his contract with his present club has expired or is due to expire within six months."

Which clubs are interested in snapping up Liverpool's soon-to-be free agents

Thiago Alcantara

In the summer, Thiago Alcantara was the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League. The Spaniard was strongly linked to join Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in making the switch abroad but he rejected all offers to stay at the club for the final year of his contract.

Despite his decision to stay on Merseyside, Thiago has yet to make an appearance for the Reds and remains sidelined with injury.

With the 32-year-old out of contract soon, Spanish outlet Sport claimed last year that Barcelona are "attentive to the situation" and could facilitate a reunion with the Camp Nou fans in the summer transfer window. A transfer to the Saudi Pro League is also possible after their interest in the summer.

Joel Matip

The centre-back has been at Liverpool for eight years and will leave having won every trophy available.

Injuries often threatened to derail his career at the very top level and after rupturing his ACL, Matip may have already played his last game for the club.

Despite being out of contract at the end of the season, the only transfer stories Matip is mentioned in are related to his potential replacements.

Adrian

The goalkeeper was set to see his Liverpool contract expire in the summer but the club extended it to keep the former West Ham at the club for the current season.

It remains to be seen if he will be kept beyond 2023/24 but that is likely only to be decided at the end of the campaign.