FIFA 22 Career Mode: Best Contract Expiry Signings in 2022 (First Season) and Free Agents

Check out all of the players available for free at the end of the first season on FIFA 22’s Career Mode, which includes Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Author:

Ben Chopping

Started off as a sports writer with a focus on football, ice hockey, boxing, and American football. After leaving RealSport, I diversified my writing substantially, kept with sport, but also learned much more heavily into pop culture, iGaming, travel, business, tech, and especially gaming. Later, I co-founded Outsider Gaming, was the primary writer and editor-in-chief, and helped to train and bring on the writing talents who also had a passion for gaming. Now, I’m writing everything and anything, from sports to gaming, SEO-optimised content to reviews and previews.

Published on: Jul 18, 2021 | Updated on: May 1, 2023

Contents

1 Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain (LW, ST)
2 Ousmane Dembélé, FC Barcelona (RM, RW)
3 Paulo Dybala, Piemonte Calcio (CAM, CF)
4 Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich (CDM, CM)
5 André Onana, Ajax (GK)
6 Paul Pogba, Manchester United (CM, LM)
7 Ángel Di María, Paris Saint-Germain (LW, RW)
8 All of the best contract expiry signings in FIFA 22 (first season)

As has certainly been shown by Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona this summer, you can get some excellent players free of charge nowadays.

In the FIFA series, making contract expiry signings on Bosman transfers has long been a great way to get ahead, even if the last edition upped the mid-season contract renewal rate.

Here, we’re going through the best FIFA 22 contract expiry signings for the first season in the game, as well as those who have expiring contracts but can’t be brought in on a Bosman transfer.

Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain (LW, ST)

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, and Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé has become the face of EA Sports’ football franchise.

Turning 23-years-old on 20 December 2021, Mbappé will just be old enough to qualify for a Bosman transfer by the time the January 2022 window opens in real life and in FIFA 22.

Last season, the young Parisian added to his legacy, becoming PSG’s go-to goalscorer with 42 goals and 11 assists in 47 games. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet at Euro 2020, he’s still widely considered to be the heir apparent to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the time of writing, the only details to emerge concerning Mbappé’s contract situation appeared to be rumours. Some sources, such as L’Equipe, claim that he’ll just see out his contract at PSG and test the market as a free agent in the summer of 2022.

In FIFA 22, he will likely command a significant pay bump given his overall rating. So, even Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund may be unable to strike a new deal before other teams swoop in and make Mbappé a contract expiry signing.

Ousmane Dembélé, FC Barcelona (RM, RW)

At 24-years-old and with a tremendous potential rating to grow into, let alone a decent overall rating, Ousmane Dembélé is a prime target for a contract expiry signing in FIFA 22.

Having signed from Borussia Dortmund for a massive £121.5 million – in the wake of the Neymar sale – it’d be fair to say that the Frenchman’s ascendency at Camp Nou has been a slow burner. Regularly hampered by injury, Dembélé’s Barça record read 30 goals and 21 assists from 2017 to 2021.

Per Mundo Deportivo, Dembélé’s agents were to meet with the Barcelona hierarchy in the week starting 19 July. The source details that they want to keep the Frenchman on board as he’s a key piece of their future plans. That said, him missing four months after surgery won’t help his appeal for a decent contract.

As a young, highly-rated winger with a high potential rating, FIFA 22’s Barcelona will likely try to re-sign Dembélé before January comes around. That said, if he picks up another injury in-game, negotiations could be delayed, and he could become one of the best contract expiry signings.

Paulo Dybala, Piemonte Calcio (CAM, CF)

He may not be the big-name at Juventus, but Paulo Dybala is certainly still considered to be among the best players in Serie A, particularly when it comes to centre forwards.

A ligament injury put a huge speed bump in the middle of the Argentine’s season, resulting in him only scoring four goals in 20 league games. A better reflection of his talents was presented in the season prior, when Dybala netted 11 goals and 11 assists in 33 appearances.

Reports have been swirling for months that the forward has already confirmed his desire to stay, and even that he’ll become one of the highest-paid players in the league. What has been established, however, is that Bianconeri have been working on an extension since before the end of last season.

Should he not get a contract by the time that FIFA 22 launches on 1 October, in-game Juventus (Piemonte Calcio) could be short on funds if they prioritise other re-signings. As it stands, Ronaldo, Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, and Federico Bernardeschi will become potential contract expiry signings in the first season.

Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich (CDM, CM)

An unsung hero of Bayern Munich’s continued dominance over the last few years, Leon Goretzka has cemented himself as a trusted central midfielder for club and country.

Goretzka continues to put up solid statistics in all facets of the game, from defending to attacking, passing to scoring. Last season, en route to another Bundesliga title and the UEFA Supercup, he scored eight goals and set up nine more. In the league, the German’s 1.8 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, and 1.8 shots per game showcased his two-way play.

On 1 July, the 20-year, incredibly successful reign of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge came to a close, with Oliver Kahn stepping into the CEO role for the Bavarian club. As detailed by Goal, the legendary German goalkeeper hasn’t wasted any time in getting contracts under control, stating that contract talks with Goretzka have been “very good.”

The central midfielder is a core part of the Bayern Munich set-up and is still only 26-years-old. So, if he doesn’t get re-signed before the launch of FIFA 22, it could take a lucky playthrough for the Bochum-native to be available as a Bosman signing.

André Onana, Ajax (GK)

If there’s one country in Africa that can be pointed to as a regular producer of classy goalkeepers, it’s Cameroon. Joseph-Antoine Bell and Thomas N’Kono headline the greats, with Carlos Kameni also proving himself an admirable netminder for the African nation. Next in line, it seems, is André Onana.

Having made waves in the Eto’o Academy to earn a move to the Barça youth set-up, Onana leapt at the chance to play first-team football for Ajax in 2015. Since his move, the now 25-year-old has kept 83 clean sheets in 204 games, conceding only 180 to date.

Onana is currently running on a deal that was struck in March 2019, which will see him through to the summer window of 2022. While many clubs are said to be in pursuit of the 6’2’’ goalie, NOS has reported that Onana’s agent is in talks with Olympique Lyonnais, who appear to be looking to replace Anthony Lopes after his 44 goals against, 11 clean sheets effort in 2020/21.

In the last game, Onana boasted a mighty 88 potential rating, clocking in with a value of £43.2 million. However, due to a doping ban, he should miss out until 4 November. So, he could become a FIFA 22 contract expiry signing if the reigning Dutch champions find a new hot-hand to keep the crease.

Paul Pogba, Manchester United (CM, LM)

Whenever he pulls on the strip of Les Bleus, Paul Pogba demonstrates exactly why so many rate him among the best playmaking midfielders in the world, firing inch-perfect through balls to French forwards.

Be it due to the weaker team around him or being in a league that doesn’t permit much space in the middle of the park, Pogba’s showings for Manchester United have been somewhat inconsistent. Injuries to him and forward options who would flourish with the Frenchman’s service haven’t helped, either.

Now, Pogba’s in the last year of his contract, and has the infamous Mino Raiola in his corner. With a truly world-class striker and more options around him, Pogba put up seven assists in five Premier League games to start the season – eclipsing his record of last season already. So, he’s certainly lining up a hefty payday in his contract year.

Ángel Di María, Paris Saint-Germain (LW, RW)

Despite being hailed by his peers as one of the best creative wingers to play alongside, Ángel Di María has had such a high-tier of club association throughout his career that he’s rarely featured as the star of the show.

The 33-year-old Argentine now finds himself in a swollen Paris Saint-Germain attacking corps – one that boasts Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar. So, at least in a simulation game, Di María looks likely to hit the open market in the summer of 2022.

In real life, this may be decided by Mbappé’s decision, and if signs somewhere on a Bosman deal or as a free agent, with a short-term contract perhaps floated to Di María to bridge the transition for a season or two. Even if this is the case, he’ll undoubtedly provide at least one direct goal contribution every other game.

All of the best contract expiry signings in FIFA 22 (first season)

Name	Age	Overall	Potential	Bosman Eligible?	Position	Value	Wages (p/w)	Team
Kylian Mbappé	22	91	95	Yes	ST, LW, RW	£166.5 million	£195,000	Paris Saint-Germain
Paulo Dybala	27	87	88	Yes	CAM, CF, LW, RW	£87 million	£135,000	Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)
Leon Goretzka	26	87	88	Yes	CM, CDM, CAM	£80 million	£120,000	Bayern Munich
Ángel Di María	33	87	87	Yes	LW, RW	£42.5 million	£140,000	Paris Saint-Germain
Luis Suárez	34	88	88	Yes	ST	£38 million	£115,000	Atlético Madrid
Paul Pogba	28	87	87	Yes	CM, LM	£68.8 million	£185,000	Manchester United
Luka Modrić	35	87	87	Yes	CM	£27.5 million	£160,000	Real Madrid
Hugo Lloris	34	87	87	Yes	GK	£11.6 million	£100,000	Tottenham Hotspur
Lorenzo Insigne	30	86	86	Yes	LW, CF	£56.5 million	£105,000	SSC Napoli
André Onana	25	84	88	Yes	GK	£43.2 million	£16,000	Ajax
Marcelo Brozovic	28	84	84	Yes	CDM, CM	£32 million	£115,000	Inter Milan
Ousmane Dembélé	24	83	88	Yes	RW, LW, RM, LM	£47 million	£140,000	FC Barcelona
Matthias Ginter	27	84	84	Yes	CB	£36.5 million	£38,500	Borussia Mönchengladbach
Edinson Cavani	34	85	85	Yes	ST	£20 million	£160,000	Manchester United
Thiago Silva	36	85	85	Yes	CB	£7.5 million	£85,000	Chelsea
Mats Hummels	32	86	86	Yes	CB	£35 million	£80,000	Borussia Dortmund
David Silva	35	85	85	Yes	CAM, CM	£16 million	£35,000	Real Sociedad
Samir Handanovič	36	86	86	Yes	GK	£6 million	£60,000	Inter Milan
Jesús Corona	28	82	82	Yes	RB, RM, RW	£26.5 million	£18,500	FC Porto
Isco	29	82	82	Yes	CM, CAM, LW	£25.5 million	£150,000	Real Madrid
Sergi Roberto	29	81	81	Yes	RB, RM, CM	£19.5 million	£120,000	FC Barcelona
Niklas Süle	25	82	87	Yes	CB, RB	£34.5 million	£67,000	Bayern Munich
Alessio Romagnoli	26	82	85	Yes	CB	£27 million	£42,500	AC Milan
Antonio Rüdiger	28	83	84	Yes	CB	£29.5 million	£115,000	Chelsea
Andrej Kramaric	30	83	83	Yes	CAM, ST	£30.5 million	£50,000	TSG Hoffenheim
Alexandre Lacazette	30	82	82	Yes	ST	£25.5 million	£95,000	Arsenal
Gareth Bale	32	82	82	Yes	RM, RW	£21.5 million	£145,000	Real Madrid
Juan Cuadrado	33	83	83	Yes	RB, RM	£16.5 million	£81,000	Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)
Denis Zakaria	24	80	86	Yes	CB, CDM	£26.5 million	£24,000	Borussia Mönchengladbach
Franck Kessié	24	84	86	Yes	CDM, CM	£42.5 million	£43,500	AC Milan
Andrea Belotti	27	81	82	Yes	ST	£26 million	£52,000	Torino
James Tarkowski	28	81	82	Yes	CB	£21 million	£39,500	Burnley
Boubacar Kamara	21	80	86	No	CB, CDM, CM	£27 million	£26,000	Olympique Marseille
Andreas Christensen	25	80	85	Yes	CB	£24 million	£81,000	Chelsea
Jason Denayer	26	80	83	Yes	CB	£21 million	£55,000	Olympique Lyonnais
Corentin Tolisso	26	80	80	Yes	CDM, CM	£21 million	£66,000	Bayern Munich
Noussair Mazraoui	23	80	84	Yes	RB, LB, CM	£25.5 million	£14,500	Ajax
Lorenzo Pellegrini	25	81	83	Yes	CDM, CM, CAM	£32.5 million	£52,000	AS Roma
Remo Freuler	29	80	80	Yes	CM	£17.5 million	£50,000	Atalanta
Jesse Lingard	28	79	79	Yes	LM, CAM	£15 million	£98,000	Manchester United
Luiz Felipe	24	78	86	Yes	CB	£22.5 million	£37,500	SS Lazio
Dan-Axel Zagadou	22	78	85	No	CB	£17.5 million	£35,500	Borussia Dortmund
Pedri	18	81	92	No	CM, LM, CAM	£46.5 million	£43,500	FC Barcelona
Jérémie Boga	24	77	83	Yes	LM, LW	£14.5 million	£27,000	US Sassuolo
Chancel Mbemba	26	79	82	Yes	RB, CB	£17.5 million	£13,500	FC Porto
Ansu Fati	18	76	90	No	LW, RW, ST	£15 million	£38,000	FC Barcelona
Todd Cantwell	23	75	82	Yes	LM	£9.5 million	£24,000	Norwich City
Eddie Nketiah	22	74	81	No	ST	£7.5 million	£48,000	Arsenal