With the summer transfer window fast approaching, many top teams around Europe will be looking to bolster their squads, spending absurd amounts of money in the process.
Last summer, Premier League clubs spent £2.36 billion on players – a new record for transfer spending – and it’s unlikely this trend of increased year-on-year expenditure will stop come June.
International tournaments are also notorious for inflating players’ transfer fees if they impress, meaning this summer’s Euros in Germany will almost certainly result in clubs shelling out huge sums of cash to acquire talent.
However, these clubs would be foolish to overlook the impressive array of players who can be snapped up for free when their contracts run out in just a few months. With Financial Fair Play regulations and hangover from the Covid-19 pandemic having a huge influence on how much teams can spend, club owners would be wise to turn their attention towards signing players at zero cost.
As such, Mail Sport has put together a Free Agents XI of the best players on the market this summer who are out of contract, lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Many impressive players – including PSG’s Kylian Mbappe – are free agents this summer
Although nothing has yet been confirmed, Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid this summer
Mail Sport has made a Free Agents XI of the players available for nothing ahead of the summer
Goalkeeper – Koen Casteels
A product of the famous Genk youth academy that has produced the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Casteels has spent all of his professional career in Germany.
However, this could change in the summer when the Belgium international’s time at Wolfsburg comes to an end following a nine-year spell.
Having made 233 appearances for Die Wolfe and represented his country on eight occasions, a move for Casteels would represent a savvy piece of business for sides looking to add a tried and tested keeper to their ranks.
Nottingham Forest reportedly made a move for the goalie in January, making the Premier League a likely destination for him next season.
Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels is out of contract with Wolfsburg this year
Defender – Ben Johnson
The West Ham star has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, having seen his minutes deplete under David Moyes this season.
Johnson’s versatility has almost been a vice for him during his days with the Hammers, adept at…