JANUARY SALES , FOOTBALL-STYLE

Sign Eriksen & Modric now.. and get them for nothing in June

THE January sales start in the winter transfer market tomorrow but the canny buyer is already looking ahead for a summer bargain.

From the New Year, players in the final six months of their deal can agree precontracts with foreign clubs to move for free, potentially saving millions of pounds in transfer fees.

It can be a gamble for players who do not have the insurance of a long-contract in case they suffer injury.

But stars have the compensation of demanding higher wages while the agents can claim huge commission, with Emre Can’s representatives banking £13.5m for his move from Liverpool to Juventus.

It is a good deal for all – except the club left behind.

Some of the biggest names in the Premier League will be out of contract next summer.

Manchester City stars Fernandinho and David Silva and Chelsea’s Pedro are coming to the end of their careers and seeking a final move.

But Ryan Fraser, 25, is heading to his prime.

He has so far turned down all attempts by Bournemouth to extend his deal and they risk losing one of their prime assets.

“We would love him to stay and commit to us,” said manager Eddie Howe last month. “But if not, we need to get the best out of him between now and the end of the season.

“We’ve had conversations with Ryan to persuade him to stay but, at the moment, he’s keeping his options open.”

Toby Alderweireld did sign a new Tottenham deal this month, but chairman Daniel

Levy is in the unusual position of allowing Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen to run down their deals.

Chelsea have not been able to agree an extension with Willian while France’s Olivier

Giroud is looking for firstteam football to guarantee his place at Euro 2020 – and an 18-month contract.

Liverpool saw the writing on the wall with Adam Lallana and have already moved to replace him with Japan’s Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg for only £7.25m.

There are bargains to be had elsewhere in Europe with the uncertainty at Napoli seeing Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon running down their contracts.

The 2018 Ballon D’OR winner Luka Modric and Mario Gotze, scorer of the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, will also be available.

More out-of-contract players are sure to be arriving at Juventus, the undoubted masters of the Bosman deal.

The Serie A champions have signed 15 free transfers in the last nine years.

They include Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba and Aaron Ramsey, to go alongside – or allow – the mega-spending on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Matthijs de Ligt.

Even coach Maurizio Sarri was seduced to leave Chelsea. “I have never seen a club so determined,” said the veteran boss. “They made a strong impression.

“This is what convinced me. “That, and the name behind

them.”