Football fans are strapping in for a busy summer transfer window, and there will be some impressive signings made for free over the coming months.
Of course, a big-money acquisition will always draw the eye. However, there are numerous top talents available as free agents in the summer when their contracts expire. Barring wages, there is very little standing in the way of clubs pursuing these stars and there will be clubs all over Europe keeping tabs on players that they think they can pinch for free.
But who are the best of the crop? Ticketgum has worked out the value of each free agent factoring in their performances this season as well as their general worth.
15. Jesse Lingard
England international Jesse Lingard is certainly a sought after star. The playmaker is attracting interest from Newcastle, West Ham but also some European giants – such as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
The midfielder has made 16 appearances so far this season for Manchester United, starting just twice despite the promise of more regular opportunities from both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. Lingard is sure to add quality to wherever he goes, and with the Qatar World Cup on the horizon, will be keen to stake his claim as to why he should be in the England squad.
14. Paul Pogba
The Red Devils are set to lose Paul Pogba on a free transfer for the second time. The France international has struggled to set the Premier League since his mega-money move in 2016, and he will be hoping that a change of scenery will prevent him from derailing any further.
A return to Juventus is reportedly on the cards, with PSG also interested. Pogba will need to find consistency once more if he is to be regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football again, especially as his 20 league appearances this season have signified otherwise.
13. Jason Denayer
Former Manchester City defender Jason Denayer is set to leave Lyon after three years at the club. The Belgian has made 139 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit and will be keen to leave for another top-level Champions League side.
12. Luiz Felipe
Brazilian central defer Luiz Felipe is reportedly on the cusp of joining Real Betis this summer, having impressed in the Serie A. The 25-year-old has played in Italy since 2016, after a short stint with Salernitana, but will be keen to show his worth in the La Liga.
11. Alexandre Lacazette
It is no secret that Arsenal are in the market for a striker this summer, largely because they are set to lose Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette – and the latter is next on the list. The French forward has been a key player at the Emirates Stadium over the years, but the Gunners’ desire to become a more youthful outfit means that his time at the club is concluding.
The 30-year-old will certainly attract interest from top European sides, especially given he is valued at £18million and a proven striker. A return to Lyon looks likely, with club president Jean-Michel Aulas recently telling GFFN that he is willing to make ‘compromises’ to re-sign him.
10. Andreas Christensen
Chelsea academy graduate Andreas Christensen is set to depart Stamford Bridge, with reports saying that his move to Barcelona is all but complete. The Denmark international recently withdrew from the Blues’ squad for the FA Cup final, fuelling reports that the defender already has one eye on his summer move.
9. Frank Kessie
Ivorian central midfielder Frank Kessie is also Barcelona-bound. The AC Milan star has run down his contract at the San Siro with aspirations of making his mark at the very top level. Kessie has scored five goals in 30 appearances this season and could be a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets at the Camp Nou.
8. Alessio Romagnoli
Italian international Alessio Romagnoli could be set to leave the Serie A for the first time in his career as he is attracting plenty of interest. The 27-year-old has been cited as a Chelsea transfer target recently amongst other suitors, and with so much experience under his belt on a free transfer, signing the defender would be an impressive piece of business for any club.
7. Antonio Rudiger
Despite the public pleas from Thomas Tuchel for Antonio Rudiger to stay at Chelsea, a deal was never reached for the defender to remain at Stamford Bridge. The German has been one of the best centre-backs in the world over the past few years, thriving in a back-three that allows him to progress with the ball and try and influence the attack.
Rudiger has been linked with several top sides, though Real Madrid now appears to be his likeliest destination. With a valuation of over £30m, to sign the former Roma star on a free transfer is a coup for Los Blancos – though his wages are likely to counteract that.
6. Andrea Belotti
Italian striker Andrea Belotti has been a consistent star in the Serie A over the years, and whether he opts to spread his wings and head elsewhere or remain in Italy is up to him. The Torino star is worth just under £30m and would be a no-brainer of a signing for any team in need of a striker.
He has scored eight goals in 21 league appearances this season, capturing the interest of several Premier League sides. West Ham is one of the reported clubs, though they will certainly have to battle to secure his signature.
5. Boubacar Kamara
Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara is one of the most sought after stars in Europe at the moment. At 22 years old and showing immense quality consistently, the Frenchman is sure to progress into a top-level midfielder in the near future.
Aston Villa, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with the youngster, who already has 169 first-team appearances to his name. Kamara will be weighing up his next move carefully and has shown previously, in how he rejected Wolves last summer, that he must be entirely sold on a project before putting pen to paper.
4. James Tarkowski
Burnley defender James Tarkowski has consistently performed well in the Premier League, despite the Clarets fighting for survival. The England international looks very likely to remain in England this summer with several clubs interested, and his departure could be the start of a flurry of departures from Turf Moore if Burnley are relegated this season.
3. Noussair Mazraoui
Bayern Munich-bound Noussair Mazraoui is unexpectedly high on the list, but his performances for Ajax and being just 24 go a long way to justifying why. The Moroccan right-back is a force at both ends of the pitch, showing quality defensively but always keen to bomb forward and get amongst the goals.
Mazraoui has scored five and assisted two in the Eredivisie this season and is a long-term option for Xavi down the right. The Spaniard has had to rely on veteran defender Dani Alves this season – who appears likely to extend his contract soon until at least the end of the year.
2. Ousmane Dembele
After an unbelievable 2016/17 campaign for Borussia Dortmund, Ousmane Dembele looked like he had the world at his feet. However, injuries, expectations and sub-par displays mean that the Frenchman is weighing up whether he should leave Barcelona this summer after five years at the club.
Xavi has been vocal in how he sees the winger as a central figure in his plans, but interest from elsewhere could be turning his head. Dembele has enjoyed his most successful season in the La Liga this year, with 14 goal contributions, and has shown glimpses of the world-class talent that many expected him to be.
1. Kylian Mbappe
Of course, it is Kylian Mbappe that heads the list. With a valuation of £144m and being a Ballon d’Or winner in waiting, it should come as no surprise that the French forward is head and shoulders above the rest.
PSG are desperately trying to keep hold of the electric forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in world football, but Real Madrid are the frontrunners to sign him this summer. Los Blancos have been openly interested in the former Monaco star since last summer, having two bids rejected, and would be a huge sign of intent by the Spanish side.
Mbappe has scored 25 goals and assisted 17 in 34 Ligue 1 appearances this season, and it is no surprise that ludicrous wages and clauses are being offered to the 23-year-old. The footballing world is eagerly awaiting his decision.
