Jak Netting

In a world where Harry Maguire moves for £80m, bargains are hard to come by. Better yet is when the opportunity emerges to sign a player for free. Every summer we see a flurry of free transfers of players whose contracts have expired – and this summer is no different. I’m going to look at the best players who are set to become free agents this summer who, as of the first of January, are allowed to speak to foreign clubs regarding a free transfer.

Leandro Trossard, 28 – Brighton & Hove Albion

I’ll admit I may have cheated a little with this one, but hear me out. Leandro Trossard’s current contract with Brighton expires this summer, but his club do hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months (which would take his contract up until June 2024). But having had a very public fallout with new manager Roberto De Zerbi, it feels unlikely that they would want to extend his stay at the club, even if it means missing out on a transfer fee for the Belgian forward.

“On the Monday, I spoke with him and I explained I don’t like this attitude, this behaviour. He knows very well if he wants to play with Brighton with me, he has to work hard, he has to run, he has to be in the right way because we are not a big team, a Real Madrid, Barcelona or another big, big team. We are Brighton and we need players who work like the other players.”

Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton & Hove Albion manager

With this in mind, it would certainly be considered a risk for any team willing to sign him – knowing his now public attitude problems, but with 9 goal involvements so far this season, he’d be a great free signing and will not be short of offers between now and the end of the season – with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur said to be among those monitoring his situation.

Wilfried Zaha, 30 – Crystal Palace

Every transfer window for what feels like an eternity, Wilfried Zaha has been linked with a move to big clubs across the country. From a return to Manchester United to a dream move to Arsenal, whom he publicly supports, his transfer has never come to fruition – partly due to the fact that he signed a new 5-year-deal ahead of the 2018/19 season – pretty much pricing himself out of a move away from Selhurst Park. That was 5 years ago though and that deal expires in June, with it looking increasingly likely that he will depart the club for free. Teams like Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for the explosive Ivorian winger, but it feels as though the chance for him to get a move to a ‘big 6’ club has been and gone with a move abroad or to a mid table club seeming more likely. Wherever he does end up, one thing is for sure: he’ll be superb value for only having to pay his wages.

Lionel Messi, 35 – Paris Saint-Germain

It’s not everyday that teams have the chance to sign the greatest player of this generation, and arguably ever, for free (or at least since PSG did so in 2021). The newly-crowned World Cup winner has been offered an extension to his current contract, with PSG desperate to prolong his time at the club – but he’s yet to accept their offer with clubs around the world circling to compete for his signature. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has done little to hide his desire for the Argentine superstar to make a return to the Catalan giants, but their current financial issues, which were the reason for his departure in 2021 in the first place, make any potential deal complex to say the least. David Beckham’s Inter Miami are also said to be keen on bringing Messi to the MLS, a deal which would no doubt be a massive boost to Messi’s brand in America – which has the potential to be incredibly lucrative for him going forward, as well as beyond his playing career. Another option which has recently emerged is Al-Hilal – the fierce rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club Al-Nassr. Not wanting to be outdone by their competitors, they are said to have offered Lionel Messi an eye-watering yearly wage of £235m as well as a potential ambassadorial role for Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid. Other clubs are sure to be interested in acquiring the services of the great, but they have yet to make their stance public knowledge. One thing is for sure though – Messi for free, regardless of the wages associated with any potential deal, will be one of the bargains of the century.

Roberto Firmino, 31 – Liverpool

Since joining Liverpool from Hoffenheim ahead of the 2015/16 season, for a fee of €41m, Roberto Firmino’s role in Jürgen Klopp’s system has often gone very under-appreciated. Despite amassing 78 goals and 49 assists in the Premier League to date for Liverpool, as well as netting 23 times in the UEFA Champions League, it’s his linkup play which has earned him such respect and admiration. He has, however, struggled for game time in recent season’s which hasn’t been aided by the arrival of the likes of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz. Because of his reduced minutes his output has also seen a decline, creating just 4 big chances in 20 appearances (10 starts) in the Premier League last season. Despite his recent decline and his age, Firmino won’t be short of suitors this summer. While Bayern Munich have reportedly backtracked on their interest in the Brazilian, he is said to have been offered a very lucrative deal by UAE Pro League side Al-Nasr – not to be mistaken with Ronaldo’s new side Al-Nassr. Wherever his future lies, Firmino is sure to improve his next side, while his lasting legacy as a member of Liverpool’s 100 club will be forever immortalised at Anfield.

N’golo Kanté, 31 – Chelsea

The most likeable man in football is edging closer to a free transfer away from Stamford Bridge despite numerous attempts by the club to tie him down to a new deal. Kanté became a household name during Leicester City’s title winning 2015/16 season – and followed it up by retaining the league title after sealing a move to Chelsea the following summer, who would go on to win the 2016/17 Premier League season. After earning the reputation as one of the best midfielders in world football, he has spent the last 2 seasons stricken by injury, playing just twice in the Premier League so far this season. His recent struggles haven’t dissuaded potential suitors – with PSG and Barcelona considered to be among the front-runners in the race for his signature. Not only does he deserve a move to a top European club, where he can have one last big payday and continue to fill his trophy cabinet, but he has the ability to warrant such a move too – and can still make such an impact in any team’s midfield, something that has been evident in Chelsea’s performances during his absence.

Youssoufa Moukoko, 18 – Borussia Dortmund

Football Manager players will be very well aware of Youssoufa Moukoko, who has been 18 for what feels like about 5 years. Having made a positive impression last season with minutes coming almost solely from substitute appearances, this season he has 9 goal involvements from just 14 appearances for the German giants, averaging just 55 minutes per game. While his name has been mentioned in Cameroon’s age-fraud scandal (which deserves an article all to itself), there is no evidence to date that he is in fact caught up in it – and his ability and potential on the pitch is undeniable. He has rejected a number of new contract offers from Borussia Dortmund so far and has reportedly become agitated by media reports in Germany surrounding the apparent wage offered to him, disputing claims that he turned down such a large figure. The teenage sensation is said to be available for a cut-price deal during the transfer window, as Dortmund look to cash in, else he is able to leave as a free agent at the end of the season. Barcelona are said to be huge admirers of the young German but their financial issues could once again scupper any potential agreement. He’s also caught the eye of a number of Premier League giants, including Newcastle United and Chelsea who are currently monitoring his situation. At his age, his next club will be vital for his development both as a player and as a person, but if all goes well he has a superb future and, for free, would represent one of the signings of the summer.

I wanted to give honourable mentions to Youri Tielemans, Evan Ndicka and Ilkay Gündogan who fell just short of my top 6, but will be superb signings wherever they choose to go in the summer – presuming that they don’t remain at their current clubs.

I want to hear your thoughts! Which free agent do you think would make the best signing and should any of them sign new deals at their current clubs? Let me know in the comments below.