Footballers who are out of contract in the summer are allowed to sign pre-contract agreements with clubs in another league in January and this year the list of players is as star-studded as ever. talkSPORT.com has explored some of the most high-profile players who can be snapped for free over the coming weeks. Mario Balotelli…

Maurizio Sarri believes Callum Hudson-Odoi should stay at Chelsea as Bayern Munich hope to tempt the teenage winger to Germany. It has been reported Bayern have already seen two bids for Hudson-Odoi rejected by the Blues, with his future up in the air as his contract expires at the end of next season. However, the…

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been urged to stay at Chelsea by team-mate Marcos Alonso amid interest from Bayern Munich. The exciting teenager is being linked with a £35million move to the Bundesliga giants after struggling for game time at Stamford Bridge – though he has started the last two cup games, including the Carabao Cup semi-final…

Fred’s former team-mates were understood to be shocked by his move to Manchester United, according to reports. The Brazilian has only made three appearance since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took caretaker charge of the Red Devils in December. In fact, Fred barely featured for Solskjaer’s predecessor, Jose Mourinho, who signed him in the summer from Shakhtar Donetsk for…

Gonzalo Higuain is close to becoming a Chelsea player and could make the move today after agreeing personal terms. The Argentine international has been linked continuously with a move to west London in recent weeks and it now appears he will finally make the switch to Stamford Bridge, according to Spanish outlet Marca. On loan…

Paul Gascoigne will defend himself against a sex assault charge by saying he has a propensity to kiss people ‘in a non-sexual manner’, a court heard. Gascoigne, the former England star, was arrested while travelling on a train between York and Newcastle for allegedly kissing a woman without consent in Darlington in August. He appeared…

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is on the verge of sealing an £11million transfer to Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan. Dembele, whose contract runs out in the summer, has not featured for Spurs since injuring his ankle against Wolves in November. Nine Premier League stars who swapped England for the riches of China The Belgium…

Cesc Fabregas is on his way out of Chelsea but not before the club has found a replacement for the Spanish playmaker – and they may they have found one in Nicolo Barella. The Blues, though, could have to pay Cagliari as much as £45million to prise the 21-year-old away from the Italian club. Fabregas…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has responded to Gary Neville’s comments that there could be a “mutiny” at Manchester United if they don’t name the Norwegian as the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho. The former United striker took over as interim boss in December after Mourinho was sacked following a number of poor displays by his side. Since…

After Sean Longstaff sent his fellow Geordies into raptures with his first home goal for his hometown club last night, we take a look at six other local lads’ memorable first home goals…   Ryan Giggs – Manchester United v Manchester City, Division One, 4th May 1991 Okay, so he was born in Cardiff, but…