With Ilkay Gundogan having joined FC Barcelona as a free agent this week, here are 10 more top stars the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and wealthy Saudi Arabian teams want to snap up on free transfers, including David de Gea!
Upon the conclusion of the previous campaign, Gundogan is understood to have rejected an offer of a renewal from City in favour of a new challenge at the Camp Nou after winning the continental treble with the Premier League giants last season. Having spent seven glittering years at the Etihad, the German penned a two-year contract, with the option of a third season, in Catalonia, and it is a deal the financially-unstable Blaugrana will be happy about as their was no transfer fee to pay.
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With the European transfer window officially opening on 1 July, a number of renowned players will effectively become available to join a club of their choice, with the likes of Roberto Firmino and De Gea among those who won't command a transfer fee.
Liverpool confirmed earlier this month that the Brazilian would be leaving the club permanently after his contract expires on 30 June. Firmino has not been short of potential suitors since as teams in Brazil, Italy and Saudi Arabia are keeping a keen eye on him. A move to the latter seems most likely at this point, given that the talisman has been presented with a lucrative offer by Al Ahli, but he is yet to make a decision as talks are still ongoing, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Spain goalkeeper De Gea, who will become unattached on Saturday as things stand, was thought to be sitting on a renewal offer from Manchester United that includes a reduced salary from his club-record pay cheque of £375 000 (R8.8 million) a week. However, it emerged earlier this week that the Spaniard had agreed to sign that deal, only for United to then back out of the proposed contract, and offer him yet another deal on further reduced terms. It is unclear whether or not De Gea, who is the Red Devils' longest-serving player in the squad, will accept the new contract on the table, although Ten Hag has made it clear he wants to create competition in that crucial position.
Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha is another coveted star who will soon be out of contract. The winger is understood to have already informed Crystal Palace of his imminent departure, and the club has reportedly thrown in the towel in terms of convincing him to stay. Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and, perhaps unsurprisingly, teams in Saudi Arabia have been credited with an interest in his services. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr have reportedly offered the 30-year-old a three-year deal worth up to £45 million (R1 billion), but it is said their first approach was rebuffed by Zaha's representatives. Per Sky Sports, though, the Saudi emissaries have scheduled a second round of talks.
Spanish winger Adama Traore is also free to join a club of his choice as his time as a Wolverhampton Wanderers player is now effectively over. AC Milan and AS Roma are said to be the leading contenders for the bulky attacker's signature, with the former having already held talks with his entourage, while Rossoneri manager Stefano Pioli has also given the thumbs-up to the deal, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan is now also set to be out of contract, although it is believed he already has an agreement in principle to sign for PSG. Contrasting claims have also suggested he could eventually join another club, though, with the French giants now said to be fixated on signing Bayern Munich centre-back Lucas Hernandez instead as a priority.
Earlier this month, former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard parted ways with Nottingham Forest after just one dreadful season with the club. This week, the 30-year-old refused to rule out a switch to the Saudi Pro League, telling Sky Sports: "Saudi Arabia are doing big things, and in the next year or so it will be one of the hotspots to go to. I'm not really surprised that loads of big names are moving out there. Obviously, it's something I'm going to consider as well, I've not ruled that out either – like I say, it's just got to be right for me at the end of the day."
Scroll through the gallery below to see 10 soon-to-be free agents available to be snapped up!
Former Arsenal teammates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin are also seeking new homes after their exits from Liverpool and Sporting Club, respectively, were confirmed.
While a number of strikers in the market will require large transfer fees before being signed, French centre-forward Moussa Dembele would not cost a penny in this regard as he will leave Olympique Lyon this week following the expiry of his contract, while Mariano Diaz is also yet to find a new club after being released by Real Madrid earlier this month.
He has since been offered to Roma, according to Roma Press, as he is considered a potential replacement for Tammy Abraham, who struggled with form and injuries last season, and Andrea Belotti, who has so far failed to become the reliable goalscorer Jose Mourinho desires in the Italian capital.
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