Whether you’ve got mega-bucks like Manchester City or if you’re little old Colchester United in League Two, everybody in football loves a free agent.
Indeed, players whose contract situations means they can be picked up without a transfer fee are often a godsend – just look at Manchester United snapping up a world-class striker in Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the summer.
And with that in mind, we at Football FanCast have created this select XI, composed entirely of players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the season – meaning English clubs can land their services on a free transfer.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t set in stone. Eight months is a long time in football and all eleven players in this gallery could still earn themselves new deals with their current employers.
Only time will tell but in the meantime, here’s a look at summer 2017’s Free Transfer XI. Let us know which players you’d like your club to sign in the comments section below…
GK: Iker Casillas
He’s been one of his generation’s best goalkeepers and has done good things for Porto in recent months.
Obviously we all know the 35-year-old from his tenure at Real Madrid but come 2017, he could be available to sign for free. Should your club take a gamble on him?
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
If his recent form is anything to go by, Manchester City stalwart Pablo Zabaleta could be one of the players who isn’t offered a new deal when his current contract expires in 2017.
He was a massive part of the Manchester City side that won two Premier League titles but his time at the club could be creeping towards its conclusion.
CB: Per Mertesacker
Currently out with a long-term injury, we think Per Mertesacker will be shown the exit door when his deal expires in 2017.
He’s been decent for the Gunners at times but has lacked consistency. With Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Laurent Koscielney in the Gunners’ ranks, surely he will be deemed surplus to requirements next year.
CB: Pepe
Everyone’s favourite Portuguese bruiser is another centre-back whose deal runs out in 2017 and he could be available on a free transfer that summer.
He’s now 33 years old and with the Madrid squad looking ever-youthful, he’s one that might be axed in favour of fresh talent.
LB: Emilio Izaguirre
A relative unknown when he arrived at Celtic back in 2010 but he’s since gone on to become a household name amongst Hoops fans.
He’s amassed over 160 appearances during his time at Celtic Park but with Brendan Rodgers now at the helm, his playing time has been limited in recent months.
CDM: Lucas Leiva
Lucas Leiva has been a true gent during his time with Liverpool and despite seeming certain to leave during the summer, he’s still on the books at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has built a new-look Liverpool side and unfortunately for the long-serving Brazilian, the chances of him making a real impression under the German gaffer now look slim.
He would be a fantastic squad player for most clubs to pick up when his deal does expire.
CDM: John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel has been around for years but he’s another player we expect to leave when his deal runs out next summer.
He’s been a fantastic servant for the club and really came back into the first-team before Antonio Conte’s arrival – but were not expecting him to feature heavily for the Italian going forward.
RM: Arjen Robben
Back in the day, Dutch winger Arjen Robben was arguably one of the world’s greatest and we’ve loved watching him over the years.
He terrorises defences no end but next summer, he’ll be out of contract at Bayern. With Kingsley Coman doing some great work for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, he could leave the club after eight years in Germany.
CAM: Kris Commons
The second Celtic player to feature in our list, Kris Commons’ current deal runs out next summer and we think he’d make a cracking addition to a Championship side.
Whilst the jump to the Premier League might be too much for the Scottish international, there are teams in the second tier who’d crave a player of his skill, passing ability and set-piece taking.
LM: Ibrahim Afellay
Stoke City winger Ibrahim Afellay hasn’t quite stood out at the Bet365 Stadium as we might have expected and we’re tipping the former Barcelona man to leave when his contract expires next summer.
Perhaps its the way the Potters set up, but he’s struggled to find his creative spark under Mark Hughes. A fresh start might really kick-start his career once again.
ST: Fernando Torres
Everyone knows Fernando Torres and in the summer, his time might be up at Atletico Madrid.
He’s been in good form in recent months and he could yet persuade boss Diego Simeone to offer him another new deal. But aged 32, does he have what it takes to fire his side to domestic and European success?
Perhaps not, but there would be plenty ready and waiting if he does depart the Vicente Calderón.
