Free agents are subject to different registration rules from players who are still under contract. Players whose deals expired or were terminated in time can, under certain circumstances, still be registered by a new club after the transfer window has closed. The decisive factor, however, is the relevant domestic legislation and competition regulations. UEFA competitions, for example, have separate squad-registration deadlines; the regular List A deadline for this season’s league phase already passed on September 2.
Still in their prime
Jadon Sancho. At 26, the Englishman is the most eye-catching name among the younger free agents. Since leaving Borussia Dortmund for Manchester United in 2021, Sancho has struggled to consistently rediscover his previous level, even across several loan spells, most recently at Aston Villa. He has recently been linked with a move to Palmeiras, although a transfer to Brazil has not been confirmed.
Diogo Leite. The 27-year-old left-footed centre-back departed Union Berlin after four years and 113 Bundesliga appearances. Given the demand for modern defenders with his profile, it is somewhat surprising that he remains without a club; during the summer, Leite was linked with teams in both Italy and Spain.
Yves Bissouma. The defensive midfielder, now 30, brings considerable Premier League experience from his spells with Brighton and Tottenham. Following the end of his time at Spurs, the Mali international is available on a free transfer and has already been mentioned as a possible short-term option for Chelsea.
Ismaël Bennacer. At the beginning of August, Bennacer’s seven-year spell with AC Milan came to an end by mutual agreement. The 28-year-old was an important part of the Rossoneri side that won the Scudetto in 2022, but injuries repeatedly disrupted his progress in recent years, with loan spells at Olympique Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb following.
Oleksandr Zinchenko. The 29-year-old Ukrainian joined Ajax in February on a deal running only until the end of the season, but a serious knee injury brought his campaign to a premature end. His versatility on the left side and his experience still make him an interesting option for major clubs, although his physical condition is currently the key factor in any potential move.
Renato Sanches. It was only on September 1 that Paris Saint-Germain terminated the Portuguese midfielder’s contract, which had originally been due to run until 2027. Once regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young talents after his breakthrough at Euro 2016, the 29-year-old has experienced a highly inconsistent career since then, with recent loan spells at AS Roma, Benfica and Panathinaikos.
Anthony Martial. Martial is also only 30, but his career has lost significant momentum since leaving Manchester United. At Mexican club Monterrey, the Frenchman managed just one goal in 20 appearances and once again struggled with injury problems. Since the transfer deadline, he has already been mentioned as a potential short-term reinforcement for Everton.
Big names with vast international experience
Marcelo Brozovic. After three years at Al-Nassr, the former Inter playmaker’s contract expired at the end of June. The 33-year-old made 330 competitive appearances for Inter Milan and could now return to Serie A, with reports in Italy recently suggesting concrete interest from Fiorentina.
Riyad Mahrez. The former Leicester and Manchester City star left Al-Ahli after three years, 122 competitive appearances, 37 goals and 46 assists. At 35, Mahrez is unlikely to return to the very top level of European football, but his technical quality and experience still make him an attractive option. Recent reports have linked him with a move to Al-Shabab.
Raphaël Guerreiro. Bayern Munich announced back in March that they would not renew the Portuguese international’s expiring contract. The 32-year-old can operate at left-back as well as in midfield and would offer a number of clubs a flexible option across several positions. Since the end of the transfer window, AS Roma have been among the clubs linked with him.
Dani Carvajal. After 23 years at the club, including 13 seasons with the first team, Carvajal’s era at Real Madrid came to an end this summer. The 34-year-old won the Champions League six times and is one of the most decorated right-backs of his generation, but has yet to find a new club. Given how closely Carvajal is identified with Real Madrid, a move to another Spanish side would certainly come as a surprise.
Raheem Sterling. After his highly successful years with Liverpool and Manchester City, Sterling’s career has taken a clear downward turn. The 31-year-old signed a short-term deal with Feyenoord in February that ran only until the end of the season, making eight appearances; since July, the 82-cap England international has once again been looking for a new club.
Paul Pogba. Monaco was supposed to provide Pogba with a fresh start after a long period away from football, but that chapter also ended prematurely. The 2018 world champion made only six competitive appearances for the Principality club before his contract, originally due to run until 2027, was terminated by mutual agreement in August.
Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has been without a club since February. Coutinho left his boyhood club Vasco da Gama at his own request and spoke openly at the time about feeling mentally exhausted. The 34-year-old has not yet officially announced his retirement.
Georginio Wijnaldum. After three years with Al-Ettifaq, the former Liverpool midfielder’s contract expired this summer. Shortly after the deadline, the 35-year-old was even linked with Chelsea, although other reports played down the idea of serious interest from the London club.
Jannik Vestergaard. Leicester City and the 34-year-old Dane agreed to terminate his contract in mid-July following the club’s latest relegation. The 1.99-metre centre-back made 118 competitive appearances for the Foxes and would offer a potential new employer experience, aerial strength and plenty of Premier League know-how.
Proven goalscorers with major reputations
Karim Benzema. The most prominent striker currently on the market is also one of the oldest. The 38-year-old 2022 Ballon d’Or winner terminated his contract with Al-Hilal by mutual agreement on August 31, only around six months after moving within Saudi Arabia from Al-Ittihad. It remains unclear whether Benzema will look for one more club or bring his career to an end.
Mauro Icardi. After four years and 77 goals in 134 competitive appearances, Icardi’s contract with Galatasaray expired in June. The 33-year-old remains an intriguing option for clubs seeking a classic penalty-box striker, and his agent recently confirmed concrete interest from Lazio.
Andrea Belotti. The former Torino captain endured terrible injury luck at Cagliari, suffering a cruciate ligament rupture only a few weeks after joining the club in September 2025. He returned in the spring, but his contract expired at the end of the season; according to reports in Italy, a continuation of the partnership subsequently also fell through because of the medical examination.
Jamie Vardy. Even at the age of 39, the former Leicester striker appears to have no intention of stopping just yet. After joining Cremonese, Vardy scored seven Serie A goals last season but was unable to prevent relegation. In England, there is now speculation over a possible Premier League return with Everton.
Austria’s biggest-name free agent
David Alaba. Austria also has one of the most prominent free agents of the summer. After five years, 131 competitive appearances and eleven trophies, Alaba’s successful spell with Real Madrid came to an end; before that, the Vienna-born defender had already won virtually everything there was to win in European club football with Bayern Munich. The 34-year-old Austria captain has yet to find a new club following the serious injury problems that have affected him in recent years.
