Can't sign players on pre-contract agreements

Does anyone else suffer with this issue? Trying to approach players who's contracts are up for expiry in January. Expect to see the option approach to sign, but no option is available? Just buy or loan? This happened to me in FC2025 too, i don't understand why this option isn't available again.

For lower teams with small budgets relying on free transfers is key to bring in any players of real potential or value, thus selling and making profit if a big offer comes in which then can be reinvested in the squad. Just find it really frustrating this issue remains from FC25. Any ideas how to fix this or ways around this issue? I've informed EA but from the looks of it just don't give a **bleep** when it comes to playing in career mode.

I only really play it for the career mode, and just seems to get massively neglected now due to Ultimate team. Hope these Saudi's who are meant to be buying EA out sort it out and massively revamp the whole franchise.