The central defender market looks set to be one of the most interesting transfer periods of next summer. A number of big defensive names are out of contract, which will lead to a scramble for bargain centre-backs.
We have profiled five centre-backs who will become free agents in 2026.
Five central defenders whose contracts expire in 2026
Marc Guehi
The race to sign Marc Guehi is heating up. Guehi saw a £35m move to Liverpool collapse in the summer after Crystal Palace failed to sign a suitable replacement in time.
Liverpool remain interested in signing the 25-year-old amid uncertainty over their centre-back options, but the Premier League champions will face strong competition.
Marc Guehi hasn’t dropped below 7.5 in any of his last 10 games 👏
A real captain 🫶 pic.twitter.com/CwZd34bPHr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2025
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all following Guehi, who has established himself as a regular in England. An excellent reader of the game and with experience as a leader for club and country, it will be a competitive race to sign Guehi as a free agent.
Ibrahima Konate
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Guehi has increased amid uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate.
The 26-year-old was a key part of Liverpool’s title success last season but no progress has been made on a potential new contract.
“There are reports that Konate has turned down a new contract,” journalist David Ornstein told NBC Sports.
“I don’t think it’s so much a rejection, maybe more of a stalemate or lack of agreement. I’m told talks are active and ongoing but nothing close yet. I’m told he earns £70,000 a week but I’m told it’s more than double that.
“So he would want a very good contract, rightly so, you could say, in the earners category, but that is something they have to sort out.”
Dayot Upamecano
Konate’s international teammate, Dayot Upamecano, is also approaching free agency. Bayern Munich are keen to keep the defender but risk losing the 27-year-old on a free transfer.
Upamecano has won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern and has been included in the Bundesliga Team of the Season three times.
🚨 Real Madrid have been given the opportunity to sign Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich in January.
The German club are interested in cashing in on the defender before he could potentially leave as a free agent next summer.
(Source: @MARK) pic.twitter.com/0OZe9W9M5X
— Deliver news live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 11, 2025
He has also largely cemented an automatic role for France despite an abundance of defensive competition. If he decides to take on a new challenge this summer, he will have no shortage of candidates.
Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger has been the foundation for Real Madrid’s modern success and the future is up in the air. Injuries have hit the Germany international of late, who has made just one La Liga appearance in the 2025/2026 season due to a hamstring injury.
Real Madrid have suffered from regular defensive absences over the past two seasons and may see Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen as the long-term duo in central defense. Rudiger turns 33 in March but still has plenty in store for a side looking for experience and presence.
Mark Senesi
Bournemouth fans feared the worst after a summer of departures, with Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez leaving to decimate their backline.
Marcos Senesi has made impressive progress since then, with the Argentine performing excellently as the Cherries have exceeded expectations in the Premier League.
Marcos Senesi has played the most forward passes (215) in the Premier League this season.🎯 pic.twitter.com/TxierAWzxY
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 8, 2025
The 28-year-old is among the Premier League’s top 10 players for progressive passes (10th), interceptions (4th), clearances (2nd) and progressive carry distance (7th), while recording two assists. Bournemouth will want to quickly consider its future.
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