The 10 best free agents still available this summer - and where they might go

Diego Costa
(Image credit: PA)

With clubs across Europe having taken a financial hit amid the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of value in the transfer market is greater than ever.

We've already seen some high-profile free transfers already this summer, with Dayot Upamecano joining Bayern Munich, Barcelona signing Sergio Aguero, and PSG gratefully gobbling up Gini Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos, 

NEW PREMIER LEAGUE KITS 2021/22 Every released home and away shirt so far

There are still some talented players available for nothing, including one Lionel Messi of Barcelona fame. We've not included him here for obvious reasons, but here are 10 free agents ready and waiting for a change of scenery...

1. Andy Carroll

The first time Andy Carroll left Newcastle, it was to become Liverpool's new £35m striker. Ten years later and he has departed St James' Park facing an uncertain future.

Carroll only started eight Premier League games in his second spell at Newcastle, and is now in search of more regular minutes. He might have to drop down to the Championship in order to find them, although a club like Burnley might conclude that Carroll is worth bringing in as cover.

2. David Luiz

For a long while it looked as though Arsenal would offer David Luiz a new deal, but they ultimately opted against it. The Brazilian defender is thus looking for new employers while he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The centre-back turns 35 next season and is unlikely to get anything more than a one-year deal at a Premier League club. A move to Turkey has been mooted, while Marseille are also thought to be interested.

3. Diego Costa

Diego Costa has been a free agent for seven months now, having agreed to terminate his contract with Atletico Madrid in December.

The striker wanted to bide his time before jumping back into the game, but he will be keen to agree a deal with his next club sooner rather than later. A second spell in the Premier League is unlikely, although Wolves has been mentioned as a potential destination for a player represented by Jorge Mendes.

4. Patrick van Aanholt

While the likes of Joel Ward and Andros Townsend had to wait a little longer to learn their fate, Patrick van Aanholt knew that he would not be staying at Crystal Palace months before his contract expired on June 30.

The Dutchman started each of his country's games at Euro 2020 but is without an employer at club level. A move to Italy could be in the offing, with Inter, Lazio and AC Milan having all been linked. It would be a surprise if there were no Premier League offers for the left-back, though.

5. Jerome Boateng

Whereas David Alaba's move to Real Madrid was confirmed in May, his erstwhile centre-back partner at Bayern Munich remains a free agent.

Jerome Boateng has departed the Allianz Arena after 10 years of service. His best days might be behind him, but the German is only 32 years old and has a few seasons left in him yet. The Premier League's big six could do far worse.

6. Nikola Maksimovic

Another centre-back whose future is unresolved is Nikola Maksimovic. Previously a target for Manchester United and Tottenham, the former Napoli stopper is still weighing up his options as the new season creeps ever closer.

West Ham have reportedly offered a deal to the 29-year-old, but the lack of progress over the last fortnight suggests Maksimovic isn't sold on the London Stadium. Real Betis and Crystal Palace have also been linked.

7. Gary Cahill

After two successful seasons at Crystal Palace, Gary Cahill is seeking pastures new after rejecting the Eagles' offer of an extension. The ex-Chelsea defender proved last term that he can still perform at the highest level, so Cahill shouldn't be short of offers from the Premier League.

Palace may yet mount a last-ditch attempt to retain the 35-year-old, who has recently been linked with a switch to Rangers.

8. Alex Teixeira

Remember the name? Alex Teixeira once came close to joining Liverpool, but the deal fell through and the Brazilian joined Chinese side Jiangsu Suning instead.

After five years in Asia, Teixeira may well fancy another crack at Europe. Besiktas have registered an interest, while clubs in the United States and Brazil are also considering tabling a contract for the 31-year-old.

9. Franck Ribery

Franck Ribery might be 38 years old, but the thought of retirement is far from his mind - unlike his former partner in crime Arjen Robben, who has hung up his boots for the second time. 

After two seasons at Fiorentina, Ribery is keen to find another employer in Serie A, according to his agent. If offers from Italy are not forthcoming, the winger would surely consider a stab at the Premier League. 

10. Ezgjan Alioski

Ezgjan Alioski was a key part of the Leeds team that secured a top-half finish in the Premier League last season, but he's now on the market after failing to agree fresh terms with the Whites.

A purported move to Galatasaray appears to have stalled, potentially leaving the door open to Jose Mourinho's Roma. Alioski has already proved himself in English football, so there will no doubt be interest from Leeds' domestic rivals too.

Subscribe to FourFourTwo today and get a FREE England Euro 96 shirt!

READ NEXT

OLYMPIC FOOTBALL What would a men's Team GB football side look like?

TOKYO 2020 Team GB Olympics 2020 football squad: full women's team

TEAM GB All the fixtures for Team GB's women's football team

Read more
Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold
The biggest players out of contract this summer
Randal Kolo Muani of Paris Saint-Germain runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid at Parc des Princes on November 06, 2024 in Paris, France.
January transfer window: One player every Premier League club could sign this month
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 01: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Holstein Kiel at Allianz Arena on February 01, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Ranked! The 10 most expensive transfers for players over 30 EVER
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player in January 2025.
Players who moved in January 2025
Julie Dufour, Elma Junttila Nelhage and Martina Fernandez
Women's football winter transfer window 2025: The biggest moves so far
Philippe Coutinho in action for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in March 2018.
Biggest January transfers
Latest in Lists
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and his father Alf-Inge Haaland watch a match between Malmo and IFK Gothenburg in October 2024.
Fathers and sons who played for the same club
Peter Schmeichel in action for Manchester United against Chelsea in December 1998.
Danish footballers who played in the Premier League
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring Newcastle United's second goal against Liverpool in the League Cup final in March 2025.
Players who scored in League Cup finals
Erling Haaland, draped in a Norway flag, celebrates Manchester City's victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League in May 2023.
Norwegian footballers who played in the Premier League
Conor Gallagher celebrates after scoring for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid in the Champions League in March 2025.
English scorers for foreign clubs in the Champions League
Manchester United unveil plans for a new stadium adjacent to Old Trafford at a launch event in March 2025.
Clubs that moved to new stadiums
Latest in Features
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
Luiz Diaz of Colombia celebrates with James Rodriguez of Colombia after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Colombia vs Paraguay: Live streams for World Cup qualifier
Uruguay's Argentine head coach Marcelo Bielsa (R) gives instructions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025.
How to watch Bolivia vs Uruguay: Live streams for Conmebol World Cup qualifying
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - MARCH 20, 2025: Vinicius Junior of Brazil in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Argentina vs Brazil: Live streams for blockbuster World Cup qualifier
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on March 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Quiz! Can you name FourFourTwo's greatest Premier League players ever?