The transfer window may be closed in major European leagues but that doesn’t mean that free agents can’t sign with clubs around the world. From names like Mats Hummels to U.S. men’s national team man Reggie Cannon, there are varied options on the market that teams can look at to bolster their sides moving forward, so let’s see who some of the notable names on the market are.
Goalkeepers
Notable free agents
- Daniel Naumov, 26
- Kristoffer Klasson, 23
- Keylor Navas, 37
When it comes to keepers, most players are signed to clubs currently but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t experience that can be added around the world. Naumov has been a solid keeper in Bulgaria over the years but most teams would love to add the experience of Navas to their ranks. Becoming one of the best keepers in the world with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, he has been spotted training with Saprissa in his native Costa Rica to stay in shape but it’s unknown where he’ll land next.
Defenders
Notable free agents
- Joel Matip, 33
- Alex Telles, 31
- Mats Hummels, 35
- Reggie Cannon, 26
- Marlon, 28
- Youcef Atal, 28
- John Egan, 31
- Serge Aurier, 31
- Leo Dubois, 29
- Joshua Brenet, 30
- Brandon Williams, 24
- Simon Kjaer, 35
- Sergio Ramos, 38
- Ezgjan Alioski, 32
- Patrick van Aanholt, 34
- Layvin Kurzawa, 31
- Filip Benkovic, 27
- Cedric Soares, 33
- Dan Potts, 30
- Liam Cooper, 33
- Timothy Fosu-Mensah, 26
Hummels is the top tier of the defensive ranks following his departure from Borussia Dortmund but in defense, there’s a mixture of experienced fliers like Serge Aurier and Layvin Kurzawa along with younger players who could still have potential like Benkovic and Fosu-Mensah. According to reports, Hummels could be off the market pretty soon as the experienced defender is set to join Roma. The defensive ranks of free agency could be one of the quicker units to thin out because of the instant impact some of these players can have on teams due to their mix of experience and ability. Cannon is someone who may have to wait a bit before finding his next club, however, as his last two stops have been rocky both in Portugal and England.
Cannon’s contract with Queens Park Rangers was mutually terminated during transfer deadline day so that both parties could go their separate ways. Cannon hasn’t made an appearance in the Championship this year after losing a lawsuit to Portuguese club Bovista due to breaching his contract when he left in 2023 to join QPR on a free transfer. While Cannon left due to unpaid wages, the courts ruling in favor of Boavista due to a breach of contract means that he is responsible for $1.4 million in damages.
Midfielders
Notable free agents
- Adrien Rabiot, 29
- Andre Gomes, 31
- Yusuf Yazici, 27
- Anton Miranchuk, 28
- Dele Alli, 28
- Iker Muniain, 31
- Robert Skov, 28
- Leonardo Lopes, 25
- Steven Alzate, 25
- Grzegorz Krychowiak, 34
- Davy Klaassen, 31
- Dennis Praet, 30
- Rafinha, 31
- Miralem Pjanic, 34
- Saman Ghoddos, 30
- Christoph Kramer, 33
- Francis Coquelin, 33
- Etienne Capoue, 33
- Andre Carrillo, 33
- Ryan Jack, 32
- Jack Cork, 35
- Kevin Strootman, 34
- Juan Mata, 36
- Marco van Ginkel, 31
It’s pretty surprising that Rabiot is still a free agent at this stage. From performing well at Juventus last season to being consistently linked to Manchester United in the past, that seemed like a move waiting to happen but here we are now in September and the Frenchman is without a club. That could change as he’s too talented to spend too long on the market. For others here, retirement could be in the cards too. Juan Mata has done it all at club level and if he wants to, someone will give him a chance but it’s fair to question how much is left in his legs.
The same can be said for players like Strootman, Capoue, Coquelin, and Carrillo. Steven Alzate is an interesting name as injuries held him back from making more of an impact at Brighton but he’s still young enough to make an impact at another team.
Forwards
Notable free agents
- Anthony Martial, 28
- Memphis Depay, 30
- Sofiane Boufal, 30
- Aaron Boupendza, 28
- Naim Sliti, 32
- Andy Delort, 32
- Adam Ounas, 27
- Achraf Bencharki, 29
- Alireza Jahanbaksh, 31
- Robin Quaison, 30
- Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, 35
- Aaron Connolly, 24
- Isaac Success, 28
- M’Baye Niang, 29
- Rachid Ghezzal, 32
- Ivan Cavaleiro, 30
- Samuel Kalu, 27
- Artem Dzyuba, 36
- Ivan Perisic, 35
- Maxi Gomez, 28
- Andre Gray, 33
- Carlos Vela, 35
- Islam Slimani, 36
- Andre Ayew, 34
- Stevan Jovetic, 34
Vela came close to signing with the San Jose Earthquakes before the Major League Soccer season kicked off but is still without a club as the season is set to end in about a month. Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial are leading this group that has experience all around the world winning trophies. Most of the free agent forwards will likely be on their last contract in this go around but a young Brighton alum makes an appearance here too in Connolly. He didn’t catch on while with Hull City but being a young player who has scored goals in the Premier League, his story isn’t over.
KVSP