Top 25 free agents: The game of football is undergoing an astronomical rise over the last few decades beginning from its humble beginnings in the late 1800s. As a result more money is being pumped into the sport than ever before. Consequently, fees involved in the transfer of players from one club to another have blown up massively.
The world record for highest transfer fee received is being broken every few years. This is largely due to the fact that the selling clubs have the financial freedom to resist letting go of a player near their market value. But largely, due to the fact that the buying club is willing to go above and beyond the market value of a player.
In this scale of business in football, finding a bargain for players has become an oddity. Then there are free signings. Which on the surface seems like an incredibly shrewd piece of business and in most cases is. A free transfer requires the team to just pay the salary and agent fees for the player involved, in addition to various bonuses including a sign on in most cases. The club does not have to spend in transfer fee as the player is not under contract with any club at the time of signing.
Given below is a list of the top 25 valued free agents, whose contract is set to expire this month. We will also take a closer look at the top most ballers among them.
Player |
Positon | Date of birth | Age | Current club/ League | Market value | Agent | |
| 1 | Milan Skriniar | Centre-Back | Feb 11, 1995 | 28 | Inter Serie A | €60.00m | Relatives |
| 2 | Marcus Thuram | Centre-Forward | Aug 6, 1997 | 25 | Bor. M’gladbach Bundesliga | €32.00m | Sport Cover |
| 3 | Evan Ndicka | Centre-Back | Aug 20, 1999 | 23 | E. Frankfurt Bundesliga | €32.00m | AMS CONSULTING |
| 4 | Adrien Rabiot | Central Midfield | Apr 3, 1995 | 28 | Juventus Serie A | €30.00m | Relatives |
| 5 | Daichi Kamada | Attacking Midfield | Aug 5, 1996 | 26 | E. Frankfurt Bundesliga | €30.00m | Roberto Tukada |
| 6 | Wilfried Zaha | Left Winger | Nov 10, 1992 | 30 | Crystal Palace Premier League | €27.00m | Unknown |
| 7 | Ilkay Gündogan | Central Midfield | Oct 24, 1990 | 32 | Man City Premier League | €25.00m | KIN Partners |
| 8 | Marco Asensio | Right Winger | Jan 21, 1996 | 27 | Real Madrid LaLiga | €25.00m | Gestifute |
| 9 | Roberto Firmino | Centre-Forward | Oct 2, 1991 | 31 | Liverpool Premier League | €22.00m | ROGON |
| 10 |
Raphaël Guerreiro |
Left-Back | Dec 22, 1993 | 29 | Bor. Dortmund Bundesliga | €20.00m | Wasserman |
| 11 | N’Golo Kanté | Defensive Midfield | Mar 29, 1991 | 32 | Chelsea Premier League | €20.00m | KDS FM |
| 12 | Jonathan Bamba | Left Winger | Mar 26, 1996 | 27 | LOSC Lille Ligue 1 | €20.00m | AMS CONSULTING |
| 13 | Ben Brereton Díaz | Left Winger | Apr 18, 1999 | 24 | Blackburn Championship | €16.00m | Wasserman |
| 14 | Toni Kroos | Central Midfield | Jan 4, 1990 | 33 | Real Madrid LaLiga | €15.00m | Sports360 GmbH |
| 15 | David de Gea | Goalkeeper | Nov 7, 1990 | 32 | Man Utd Premier League | €15.00m | Relatives |
| 16 | Daniel Amartey | Centre-Back | Dec 21, 1994 | 28 | Leicester Premier League | €15.00m | Gol International |
| 17 | Moussa Dembélé | Centre-Forward | Jul 12, 1996 | 26 | Olympique Lyon Ligue 1 | €15.00m | Mansa Sports Management |
| 18 | Caglar Söyüncü | Centre-Back | May 23, 1996 | 27 | Leicester Premier League | €15.00m | Wasserman |
| 19 | Ellyes Skhiri | Defensive Midfield | May 10, 1995 | 28 | 1.FC Köln Bundesliga | €13.00m | CAA Stellar |
| 20 | Jesse Lingard | Attacking Midfield | Dec 15, 1992 | 30 | Nottm Forest Premier League | €12.00m | Unknown |
| 21 | Mohamed Elyounoussi | Left Winger | Aug 4, 1994 | 28 | Southampton Premier League | €12.00m | CLS Mundial |
| 22 | Mahmoud Dahoud | Central Midfield | Jan 1, 1996 | 27 | Bor. Dortmund Bundesliga | €12.00m | Unknown |
| 23 | Adama Traoré | Right Winger | Jan 25, 1996 | 27 | Wolves Premier League | €12.00m | Gestifute |
| 24 | Yerry Mina | Centre-Back | Sep 23, 1994 | 28 | Everton Premier League | €12.00m | Wasserman |
| 25 | Tom Davies | Central Midfield | Jun 30, 1998 | 24 | Everton Premier League | €12.00m | Unknown |
Milan Skriniar
The Slovakian defender has been a staple in the heart of the Milanese defence for the past few years. Strongly linked with a move to PSG, if any team manage to hijack the deal it would come at a premium wage. However, for a free transfer getting one of the best centre half is certainly a bargain.
Marcus Thuram
The Frenchman is surely among the top prospects in world football when it comes to strikers. Having impressed in a mediocre Borussia Monchengladbach side, he is destined for a high profile move this summer. Arsenal. Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan have all been linked with the forward.
Evan Ndicka
The 23-year-old Parisian might very well be the star defender for the French national side in the next few years. However, with Eintracht frankfurt’s inability to secure an extension or finding a club to offload he defender last season means, Ndicka will leave this summer. As Roma are very close to securing a deal for the defender.
Adrien Rabiot
After managing to get 150 appearances to his name with childhood club PSG, the midfielder moved to Juventus in 2019. While things did not click immediately, the Frenchman has certainly put his name among the top midfielders in the world. Particularly over the last season. Manchester United are in pole position to attract him to Old Trafford.
Daichi Kamada
Kamada has been a top level playmaker for sometime now in the German top flight. However, last season the Japanese international proved his worth in front of goal as well. This would surely increase the market value of the midfielder. Sadly for the German club, Eintracht Frankfurt, they will not be able to gain monetarily from him as well.
Wilfried Zaha
Since departing Old Trafford in 2015, Zaha has gained legendary status in Selhurst Park. However, now aged 30 the Ivorian international wants European football before hanging up his boots. The forward had already turned down lucrative offers from the middle east. Furthermore, there are also rumours of Palace wanting to keep their talisman at all costs.
Ilkay Gündogan
Arguably the best midfielder this season in the world alongside teammate Kevin De Bruyne, Gündogan has an expiring contract at the Etihad. It is unknown if the veteran will continue his trophy hunt with the Cityzens. Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona are all interested in strengthening their midfield.
Marco Asensio
Once considered the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid, it is an understatement to mention Asensio has underperformed. Nevertheless, the Spaniard is still a top class forward on his day. Although reports have confirmed his move to Paris saint-Germain, nothing is official yet. Hence he earns a spot in this list.
Roberto Firmino
Bobby’s contribution to Liverpool’s success in recent years can not be overstated. In his prime the Brazilian revolutionised his position like no other. The forward in the last 2 seasons slowly dropped out of his crucial role in Anfield. Injuries and age have forced Klopp to replace his trustworthy magician. However, the Champions League winner still has a lot to offer. The question is for which club it would be. Rumours link him to both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Raphaël Guerreiro
The Portuguese utility man has been a staple in North Rhine-Westphalia since 2016. Having failed to get his hands on the Bundesliga title by narrow margins. He is expected to have another go next season representing Bayern Munich. However, at the moment he has an expiring contract at the Signal Iduna Park.
The bitter truth about free transfers
With all being said, as mentioned earlier free transfers have a lot of fees involved, unlike what the name suggests. Furthermore, free agents are able to demand a higher wage due to the lack of transfer fee. This in a way has broken the football system, with many top profile stars letting their contract run out in search for higher financial gain.
