Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United: The Contract Battle and Strategic Advantage

In English football, the story of player contract management has never been hotter than now. A recent in-depth analysis has highlighted the huge difference between three giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in preparing for the upcoming summer transfer window. While Arsenal is enjoying rare stability, Liverpool and Man United are facing contract crises that could reshape the league landscape. Starting with Arsenal, Mikel Arteta's team just ended a 22-year trophy drought by winning the Premier League last season. However, their ambitions do not stop there. With the goal of winning the Champions League for the first time in history, Arsenal has been active in the transfer market. Nevertheless, they failed to land top targets like Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers. This shows that the attack remains a weakness that needs improvement if they want to build a true dynasty. In compensation, Arsenal possesses a strategic advantage that few clubs have: no first-team player has a contract expiring next summer. This is the result of a proactive contract management plan, helping the club avoid the pressure of rushed renewals or losing players on free transfers. Moreover, selling Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal for £60 million – a club record – has brought in ample cash for reinvestment. With financial flexibility and squad stability, Arsenal is in an extremely favorable position to upgrade their squad in the upcoming transfer window. In stark contrast, Liverpool is facing a difficult puzzle. Up to 5 key players will have contracts expiring next summer, including captain Virgil van Dijk, number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker, along with Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo. Especially, van Dijk and Alisson have both entered the final stages of their careers, making renewals complicated. Liverpool must weigh between retaining experienced stars or preparing for a generational transition. Additionally, the club must decide on the buy option for Ronald Araujo – the centre-back on loan from Barcelona. If not resolved decisively, Liverpool risks losing multiple key players without receiving any transfer fees. The situation at Manchester United is even worse. According to the analysis, up to 8 first-team players will have contracts expiring next summer, including captain Bruno Fernandes, along with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and many others. Renewal talks with Fernandes have resumed, but that shows a worrying delay. Without timely action, Man United could lose the entire spine of the team – from the spiritual leader to the defense – in just one transfer window. This puts enormous pressure on the management, having to both retain key players and rebuild the squad. This contrast is not just an internal story of each club, but directly affects the power balance in the Premier League. Arsenal, with its proactiveness and long-term vision, is showing a sustainable management model. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Man United are paying the price for years of delaying contract renewals. Without the right moves, they could fall into a spiral of losing players for free and being forced to buy hastily at high prices. From a financial perspective, Arsenal's sale of Martinelli for £60 million not only gives them more budget but also improves their Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) compliance. This creates a 'double benefit': both money for reinvestment and more financial headroom. Conversely, Liverpool and Man United will face the problem of soaring wage costs if they want to retain key players, which could cause them to violate financial regulations. Besides, the rise of the Saudi Pro League is also a notable factor. The Martinelli deal shows that Saudi clubs are still willing to spend big to get Premier League stars. This is both an opportunity for English clubs to offload unsuitable players and a threat when players can use offers from Saudi to pressure management in renewal negotiations. Overall, the race to the summer 2026 transfer window promises to be very exciting. Arsenal holds all the advantages: stable squad, ample finances, and no pressure from expiring contracts. Liverpool and Man United are the opposite; they are racing against time to avoid a personnel crisis. Can these clubs overcome the difficulties or will they lose their most important stars? The answer will come in the coming months. However, it should be noted that the information in this analysis is largely unverified from official sources. Transfers and contract statuses may change over time. Fans should follow official club announcements for the most accurate view. This article is compiled and analyzed based on available data, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of the contract management landscape in the Premier League. Whatever the final outcome, it is clear that smart contract management is becoming the most important competitive weapon in modern football.