15 Best Free Agents Available to Sign This Summer

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Jordan follows a wide range of sports, but his passions lie in professional wrestling, football, F1, and middle and long-distance running. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account All eyes are on the 2026 World Cup, but that doesn't mean that club managers are taking a break for some much-needed R&R. With the season now over, the football merry-go-round turns its attention to the drama of the summer transfer window.

The World Cup will no doubt make stars of a few obscure names, as well as add to the legacy of some household ones. But major tournaments also tend to add a few zeroes to a player's value, forcing managers to get creative with their recruitment strategy.

The 2026-27 season is a growing dot on the horizon, so the focus is now moving towards the next group of players whose contracts have expired this summer. But which free agents are definitely worth a gamble for bargain-sniffing managers?

Official confirmation of each summer transfer deal, with the window set to close on September 1.

The Manchester City veteran has won everything during his decade at the club, clocking up just shy of 300 appearances under Pep Guardiola. However, injuries and new arrivals have limited the England international's playing time. At 32, Stones may not be the player he once was, but he definitely still has a lot to offer to the right club.

More than a few Juventus fans will argue that Dušan Vlahović never reached the same form he showed at Fiorentina. But with 48 league goals in 122 appearances, the Serbian's output has still been solid. His 2025-26 season has been hampered by injury, and at just 26, he offers an incredible free transfer should he regain fitness and form.

The Polish striker is one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, and even at 37, still offers plenty of firepower. Lewandowski recorded 14 goals in 31 games for Barcelona in La Liga. The former Bayern Munich man is one of the club's highest earners and getting him off the books might help Barca to put their funds into a younger model.

The 21-year-old has become an integral part of Lorient's revival. Avom helped the club win Ligue 2 in the 2024-25 season, and has become a mainstay in the Cameroon national side since debuting at just 19. The box-to-box midfielder already has plenty of experience and could present a great long-term project for many of Europe's top teams.

The former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder was one of the first to join the lucrative Saudi Pro League. But now, his contract is set to expire at the end of the month with no sign of a renewal. At 29, Kessie is a proven option with plenty of mileage left in the tank. His experience could be useful in many dressing rooms.

Managers will be hard pushed to find a player with the quality, experience, and success that Dani Carvajal possesses. The Real Madrid captain will leave the club after 23 years when his contract expires this summer. At 34, he is in his twilight years. But as a free transfer, he can still provide a level of quality and a well of wisdom to younger players.

The Brazilian's situation is an interesting one. His current deal with Santos will expire at the end of the year, with no contract negotiations underway. And whilst his best years are behind him at 34, he still poses a deadly threat in front of goal. If Neymar can have a fruitful World Cup, interest in the attacker could increase as his current deal edges closer to expiry.

The Portuguese defender has over 200 Bundesliga appearances under his belt, having plied his trade for Germany's two biggest teams, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. But Bayern have confirmed he will leave as a free agent this summer. Beyond experience, his biggest asset is his versatility. Predominantly a left back, he has been utilised in midfield by Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, even operating in the no.10 role. As a squad member, he could prove invaluable if injuries pile up.

After five difficult years at Manchester United, Jadon Sancho will leave as a free agent this summer, having never really hit the heights of his Dortmund days. The former England man made 39 appearances during his loan spell at Aston Villa this season, and they could be tempted by a free transfer to boost their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign. However, Sancho's exorbitant wage demands could throw a spanner in the works.

The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner turns 41 in September, but he is still racking up appearances for AC Milan. The Croatia captain played 37 times for the Serie A side last season, but his current deal will expire this summer. Modric is reportedly yet to make a decision on whether to activate his one-year extension at the Rossoneri. Perhaps new boss Ruben Amorim can convince him to stay, but if not, he could be an incredible pickup for many sides.

Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2026.

The 27-year-old Spaniard has been a consistent starter for Celta Vigo, having joined the club from Barcelona in 2022. But with his contract expiring, he is reportedly on the wishlist of a few Premier League clubs. The left back's injury record is impressive, having missed just one league match through injury in the last three seasons. Mingueza could add solid depth to any Premier League squad.

The veteran Brazilian will be very familiar to Liverpool fans, and at 32, can still do a good job in the holding midfielder role. Contract renewal talks with Al-Ittihad are reportedly on hold, which should grab the attention of teams seeking proven, experienced midfielders on a free. A good outing at the World Cup could remind managers of the quality he possesses.

Tottenham's signing of Yves Bissouma from Brighton in 2022 looked like an impressive swoop at the time, but the Mali midfielder has failed to deliver on his promise. After already being linked with a move away from Spurs last summer, he has now left the North London side upon the expiry of his contract. The prospect of reviving a Brighton-era Bissouma will definitely earn him a few suitors this summer.

The Germany international has been a mainstay of Bayern Munich since joining from Schalke in 2018. But Leon Goretzka now finds himself on the precipice of a new challenge, having left the German giants. The midfielder has been linked with AC Milan since leaving Bayern, but he should be on the wishlist of many more clubs. Versatile, disciplined, and very experienced, he would be a welcome addition to any side, especially without a price tag.

Underrated is a word that springs to mind when describing Julian Brandt. The Dortmund playmaker has hit double figures in Bundesliga goal contributions in his past five seasons with the German side, so it's surprising to see the playmaker leaving on a free. Brandt is one of the Bundesliga's brightest creative sparks and is still only 30. Brandt's next destination, another Bundesliga side, or something a little more exotic, continues to be a mystery.

Some of the best players in football history moved clubs without commanding a fee. Here are the greatest free transfers of all time.