More than £140million was spent by English clubs during the last January transfer window but you don’t always need to break the bank to snap up a quality signing.

It is often considered difficult to sign top targets in the winter sales as clubs are reluctant to allow their players to leave midway through the season.

However, teams can also start planning for the summer as deals can be thrashed out with stars who are reaching the end of their current deals.

Discussions can be opened with players at foreign clubs who have less than six months remaining on their contracts over potential free transfers.

It is 20 years since Jean-Marc Bosman won his ruling at the European Court of Justice in order to force through a transfer from RFC Liege to Dunkerque.

And ever since then players have been able to move for free in Europe once their contracts have expired, although a compensation fee must be paid to snare targets under the age of 24.

Here’s a run-down of players who could be weighing up such a transfer in the coming weeks and could tempt west London sides looking for a bargain.

January transfer window - how long left?

Time left

poll loading

Which club will be busiest in January?

500+ VOTES SO FAR

* Fulham are under a transfer embargo but can still sign players on Bosman deals.