Five Top Free Transfers for Liverpool, United and Arsenal to Fight Over

Seventy three La Liga players come to the end of their contracts on 30 June, and are now free to negotiate a free transfer. Although they won't move until the summer, the battle for their signature is sure to be ferocious during the January window, as Liverpool, Manchester United and the Premier League's other top clubs scrap for future reinforcements.

Each of the 73 free agents could be classed as a bargain, given the quality available in La Liga, but IBTimes UK has whittled the list down to find the five biggest steals. Here they are...

Xabi Alonso

The former Liverpool midfielder has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United ready to fight to secure his services. Real Madrid are desperately trying to extend his spell at Santiago Bernabeu but the player has some doubts about it and he has refused to open talks over a new deal as yet.

Jose Mourinho is hoping to be reunited with Alonso at Chelsea, while reports in Spain claimed recently that Manchester City have already offered Alonso £8m a year to convince him to move to the Etihad Stadium.

David Villa

Arsenal and Tottenham were heavily linked to Villa last summer but the Asturian striker finally decided to move to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona and stay in La Liga. However, he signed just a one-year contract at Vicente Calderon and although it has been reported that manager Diego Simeone wants him to stay one more season, he is now free to negotiate with other clubs and Arsene Wenger may try to approach him again due to his lack of options up front.

Victor Valdes

Barcelona's number one has decided to finish his spell at the Nou Camp this summer and although Monaco are leading the race to sign him, Manchester City and Arsenal are also monitoring his situation. Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger are looking for a goalkeeper to solve their problems between the sticks, and the Spanish international will be the number one bargain of the summer.

The 31-year-old has been a key factor in Barcelona's dominance over recent seasons. This year he was the Catalan giants' best player before getting injured.

Martin Montoya

Montoya has started seven La Liga games this season for Barcelona but his agent has admitted that he could leave the club, as Barcelona have not agreed a new deal with him yet.

"The negotiations are stopped and if we do not reach a deal to extend the contract he will be free to find a new destiny" the agent said.

Liverpool are monitoring Montoya but they will face competition from some Italian sides to acquire his services. The 22-year-old is predominantly right-sided but he can also play on the left flank, and Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque is considering him for this summer's World Cup.

Javi Guerra

Guerra is the secret bargain in la Liga. The Valladolid striker has scored eleven goals in 17 games this season and is the third top scorer in Spain, just behind Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo. His current club want him to stay but at 30 years old he may want a new challenge and decide to move to the Premier League.