With the summer transfer window edging towards its conclusion, clubs around Europe will be haggling for the best deals as they seek to strengthen their teams before the deadline.
A lot of Europe's leagues have until 11pm on Friday 30th August to bolster their ranks, but if they need a bit more time, there could yet be a lifeline in the form of various free agents still knocking around and looking for clubs.
David de Gea was a free agent for over a year before signing for Fiorentina this summer, but who is currently on the market and without a club? We've listed 10 of the hottest free agents that clubs may well be tempted to look at during the remainder of the summer and beyond.
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ByStephan Georgiou Sep 18, 2024 1 Dele Alli Midfielder, 28
Following his release from Everton, Dele Alli is officially without a club having endeavoured to get his career back on track over the last few years.
Dele continues to train with Everton as the Toffees support him following his recent ongoing injury troubles, while Sean Dyche recently commented that he could feature in future behind-closed-doors matches once he is fit again.
However, he is not contracted to the club, and therefore could be snapped up by any willing suitor. Now 28, the former Spurs ace would mark a superb turnaround by reviving his Premier League career, be it at Goodison Park or elsewhere.
Last club
Everton
Career appearances
385
Career goals
94
Career assists
73
Recently linked with
None
2 Memphis Depay Forward, 30
Memphis Depay was most recently on the books at Atletico Madrid, who he reached the Champions League semi-finals with last season.
However, Los Rojiblancos released the Dutchman after he failed to meet a contractual requirement to trigger an extension in his deal. Reports claim that he had to feature for at least 45 minutes in 50% of the games he was available for.
Unfortunately, he did not achieve this despite notching 13 goals in 40 games. Given he has experience in multiple top European leagues, he could attract plenty of clubs in the coming days and weeks.
Last club
Atletico Madrid
Career appearances
437
Career goals
160
Career assists
93
Recently linked with
Rayo Vallecano
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1 ByAlex Caple Oct 2, 2024 3 Andre Gomes Midfielder, 31
Andre Gomes was another player let go by Everton over the summer. The Portuguese ace bid farewell to the Toffees (including a long goodbye message) after ending six years on Merseyside.
Gomes initially signed on loan from Barcelona before joining permanently in 2019. He also spent time on loan at Lille in the 2022/23 season.
His best years may be behind him, but with plenty of top-level experience in domestic and European football – as well as having won Euro 2016 with Portugal – he will surely be of use to someone looking to avoid a hefty transfer fee.
Last club
Everton
Career appearances
355
Career goals
31
Career assists
29
Recently linked with
Las Palmas, MLS
4 Mario Hermoso Defender, 29
Released by Atletico Madrid at the end of last season, Mario Hermoso has been linked with plenty of clubs this summer, but remains unattached at this late stage of the window.
Hermoso was part of Diego Simeone's second title-winning side in 2020/21, during which he played 31 times in the Atleti backline.
Manchester United were previously strongly linked but have since secured alternative defensive targets.
Last club
Atletico Madrid
Career appearances
297
Career goals
15
Career assists
10
Recently linked with
Al-Shabab
5 Mats Hummels Defender, 35
Mats Hummels left Borussia Dortmund for a second time this summer in emotional circumstances, with his final game for the club coming in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
The defender, who missed out on a place in Julian Nagelsmann's Euro 2024 squad, has been linked with a move to MLS in recent weeks, with fellow ex-Dortmund teammate Marco Reus joining LA Galaxy.
Hummels was thought to be close to a move to La Liga with Real Sociedad but has since made a U-turn on his decision to join.
Last club
Borussia Dortmund
Career appearances
668
Career goals
51
Career assists
32
Recently linked with
Real Sociedad, MLS
6 Anthony Martial Forward, 28
Manchester United released Anthony Martial nine years after he joined from Monaco. The Frenchman burst onto the scene under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford but was unable to deliver on his very early promise.
He still reached 90 goals in United colours and won four major trophies during his time in the north-west, including the Europa League in 2017.
Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, the lack of concrete transfer rumours epitomises how his career has dwindled in recent times, though surely it is a matter of time before someone takes a gamble on the 30-cap France international.
Last club
Man Utd
Career appearances
403
Career goals
106
Career assists
56
Recently linked with
Saudi Pro League, Besiktas
7 Joel Matip Defender, 33
Joel Matip ended a superb stint at Liverpool this summer, where he won pretty much every title available as a key part of Jurgen Klopp's backline at Anfield.
Injuries marred his final campaign for the Reds, with a cruciate ligament issue curtailing his season in December.
Reports earlier this summer claimed that he was struggling to find a new club, with his injury history highlighted as a potential concern.
Last club
Liverpool
Career appearances
463
Career goals
35
Career assists
20
Recently linked with
None
8 Miralem Pjanic Midfielder, 34
Four-time Scudetto winner Miralem Pjanic was last seen at Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates. A former Juventus and Barcelona star, he has been away from European football since September 2022.
His last appearance on the continent came for Besiktas, where he was on loan before leaving Barca not long after his return.
News is quiet as far as the Bosnian's next destination is concerned, so where he ends up in the near future is currently anyone's guess.
Last club
Sharjah FC
Career appearances
640
Career goals
77
Career assists
128
Recently linked with
None
9 Adrien Rabiot Midfielder, 29
Adrien Rabiot always seems to be the subject of transfer speculation, and this summer is no different. Though it’s certainly no fluke this time, with the Frenchman without a club for the time being.
Another star long linked with Manchester United, Rabiot remains a free agent deep into the transfer window. Luckily, the deadline will not apply to him, while he has been linked with Milan most recently.
The 29-year-old is rarely out of the headlines, but having left Juventus after five years in Turin, it looks like his latest adventure is not too far away.
Last club
Juventus
Career appearances
452
Career goals
47
Career assists
32
Recently linked with
Milan
10 Willian Forward, 36
Brazilian winger Willian left Fulham in the summer after two years at Craven Cottage. The former Chelsea star had an impressive campaign last time out but called time on his stay, saying goodbye on the first day of the new season.
Conference League holders Olympiacos have been mentioned as potential takers for the ex-Arsenal wide-man, while he may yet decide to return (again) to his native Brazil with his career approaching its end.
Willian appears to have top-level class left in him, but no one has taken the plunge on him yet.
Last club
Fulham
Career appearances
746
Career goals
115
Career assists
148
Recently linked with
Olympiacos