There are still four weeks left in the 2016-2017 EPL season, but the future of some of the top players in the english premier league are still uncertain with contracts set to expire on July 1. MLS teams are constantly in search of quality players to strengthen their squads, especially with experienced top players from major European leagues that can be transferred for free to help turn a season at the midway point of their campaign.
So here are the top three superstars that could join the Major League Soccer as free-agents in the next few months.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic — Manchester United
Zlatan has been in a fine form in his first season in the English Premier League, scoring twenty-six goals and helping Manchester United to clinch the English League Cup. But as things stand it seems this could be the Swede veteran only season in England, with MLS outfit LA Galaxy interested in luring him to Los Angeles as the highest paid player in the Major League Soccer history if he decides not to extend his stay at Manchester United this summer.
Although, Man United are keen on extending his contract for another one more term the opportunity to enjoy the “Hollywood lifestyle” in LA might be good enough to lure him to move to LA Galaxy this summer.
Pablo Zabaleta — Manchester City
Pablo Zabaleta had been at Man City for over nine years, but there are no indication whether a new deal will be offered to the experienced Argentine defender. He has not been an integral player for Manchester City over the past two seasons and has only started ten of the Citizens 30 EPL games under manager Pep Guardiola this season.
Recently, West Ham United has been linked with a potential move for the 32-year-old Argentine defender if he does leave Manchester City as a free agent this summer, but Major League Soccer teams (especially Montreal Impact) would certainly be monitoring the situation in case Pablo Zabaleta choices he wants to move closer to his “homeland” for the final years of his fulfilled professional soccer career.
Over the past few months, Major League Soccer sides have been blaming their search light on defensive players and the Argentine international would even be ready to proffer plenty of clubs with an experienced inclusion if they are willing to deep pockets on his wages.
Lucas Leiva — Liverpool
Leiva had been in the English top-flight football for the past ten years, but it may well be his last year in England, as Liverpool are not willing to extend his contract. Lucas Leiva (who's Liverpool's longest serving player) has been used more in the center defense under manager Jurgen Klopp this term than in his regular position (in the midfield), playing just only 571 minutes in 30 games in the EPL this season.
Lucas Leiva is only 30-years-old and has more to offer any club that signs him up this summer. Leiva seemed close to making a move to the Turkish Superliga last season but didn't accomplish it. But if Major League Soccer clubs want someone who can break offense in the centre-half, then there'll certainly be “few better free options” than Leiva in the next few months.
MLS outfit New York Red Bulls still have some void to fill up following the striking departure of Dax McCarthy this winter (January 2017) and with a Designated Player slot still available, don't be amazed to see the Red Bulls make a surprise move for the Brazilian midfielder this summer.
