Adelaide United has 12 players coming off contract and able to speak to rival clubs from December 1

January’s FIFA transfer window could see overseas clubs come calling for stars Riley McGree, James Troisi and Ben Halloran.

Adelaide United’s Ben Halloran looks to be the hardet to keep for next season. Halloran in action against SA’s Bradden Inman of Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium on November 10. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

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Adelaide United have 12 players coming off contract and will able to start taking calls from other interested clubs from Sunday, and it’s a distraction coach Gertjan Verbeek doesn’t need for his squad right now.

It’s the nature of the football beast where careers are super insecure, a player’s future in the game could be over by May 31 when some of the Reds’ contracts come to an end.

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It’s also a time where the club’s football director Bruce Djite and general manager of football Ante Kovacevic need to be working closely with Verbeek, sounding him out.

Six months into a two-year contract, Verbeek should have a very good idea about which off contract players should go and who he should keep.

Adelaide United’s Ben Halloran is set to come out of contract.

Ben Halloran at this stage looks to be the hardest to keep unless Adelaide make a move with the right cash.

The Advertiser has compiled a list of perhaps who is leaving, which players Adelaide should keep and those the club should snap up from other clubs.

With about 155 (58 per cent) players off contract, Reds officials must move fast as the better ones will always be the first one to be snapped up.

The January FIFA transfer window is also set to cause pain as foreign clubs are also lurking for talent that is also contracted.

There is also a vast off contract A-League variety for the Reds to consider offering contracts for the new season.

Western United’s captain, Italian gem Alessandro Diamanti. Should Adelaide target the playmaker for next year? (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

WHO COULD THE REDS TARGET?

1. Alessandro Diamanti, 36 - (Western United, Italy) - a perfect fit in an SA market which would simply adore the playmaker, his values and his personality.

2. Ola Toivonen, 33 - (Melbourne Victory, Sweden) - Absolute class striker

3. Milos Ninkovic, 34 - (Sydney FC, Serbia) - a sharp playmaker that doesn’t seem to age

4. Adam Le Fondre, 32 - (Sydney FC, England) - a goal machine.

5. Bruce Kamau, 24 - (Western Sydney) - ex Adelaide United title winning attacker that would surely improve under Verbeek.

6.Reno Piscopo, 21 - (Wellington Phoenix) - a former Italian youth international that spent years being nurtured by Inter Milan. Verbeek can also help make this youngster’s career flourish.

7. Tommy Oar, 27 - (Central Coast) - Would understand Verbeek’s methods inside out given he played 117 games for Dutch club Utrecht.

8. Thomas Deng, 22 - (Melbourne Victory) - Socceroos defender ex-SA based.

9. Elvis Kamsoba, 23 (Melbourne Victory) - A Burundian international that cut his teeth in SA

10. Valentino Yuel, 25 - (Western United) - another SA attacking product that was forced to move to be noticed.

Adelaide United’s Michael Marrone has triggered a contract extension according to sources. Picture: AAP Image/Jeremy Ng.

THE SITUATION AT UNITED

Off contract and due for a renewal

Michael Marrone, 32 - has according to sources triggered a renewal in his last contract.

Michael Jakobsen, 34 - the captain and playing an important role in the club’s rise under Verbeek

Ryan Strain, 22 - has done enough to warrant an extension.

Nathan Konstandopoulos, 23 - adds much needed depth in midfield

Contracted players that have attracted interest from clubs abroad for the January window

James Troisi, 31, - has a cheap buyout clause. Asian clubs are taking a good hard look at the attacking midfielder.

Riley McGree, 21- too good to be ignored by transfer market bargain hunters.

Off contract and hard to keep

Ben Halloran, 27, - unless the price is right.

Adelaide United’s Carlo Armiento is understood to be unhappy and could be moving clubs in January. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes.

Off contract and set to move as soon as January

Carlo Armiento, 20 - Melbourne Victory. Was told he wasn’t wanted in pre-season and is languishing in the Y-League. Victory boss Marco Kurz wanted him.

George Blackwood, 22 - Shopped to numerous clubs during the A-League’s pre-season transfer window. Sydney FC are strong contenders.

Vince Lia, 34 - Understood to be angling for a move back to a Victorian club.

Daniel Margush, 21, - Desperately unlucky to be relegated to the No. 3 keeper despite being an Australian U-23 international. Was also shopped in pre-season.

Adelaide United’s Mirko Boland is unlikely to get a contract extension. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

Off contract and unlikely to have a renewal

Mirko Boland, 32 - has had an injury plagued second season and had knee surgery this week.

Yongbin Chen, 20 - a Chinese experiment that will earn an extension if he proves to be a freak. From Qingdao Red Lions and his quality is unknown.

Kristian Opseth, 29 - hard worker but needs to translate that into more goals.

Adelaide’s other contracted players

Jordan Elsey, 25 – until 2021

Lachlan Brook, 18 – 2021

Nikola Mileusnic, 26 – 2021

Michael Maria, 24 – 2021

Paul Izzo, 24 – 2022

Ryan Kitto, 25 – 2022 (listed as off contract in FFA document)

Contracted with end dates unknown

Pacifique Niyongabire, 19.

Louis D'Arrigo, 18.

Isaac Richards, 20.

Al Hassan Toure, 19.

Kusini Yengi, 20.