15 major stars out of contract and available for FREE this summer

Kylian Mbappe of France, March 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Does your club need to be careful with money this summer? These free agents might help.

A busy summer of international football also awaits, with Euro 2024 topping the bill, but away from club and country commitments, several high-profile players have decisions to make regarding their futures. 

Players on expiring contracts will soon hit the open market and be able to secure free transfers. Here is a look at some of the biggest free agents this summer. 

1. Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is out of contract this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 25
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Transfermarkt value: €180m

After convincing him once in 2022 to extend his deal, Paris Saint-Germain are bracing themselves for the France captain’s exit this summer. His next destination shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, with widespread media reports claiming a deal with Real Madrid is done and dusted. 

The 25-year-old will have to take a pay cut on his annual salary at the Bernabeu, but a reported £128million signing-on fee, there won’t have to be too much cost-cutting in the Mbappe household. 

2. Adrien Rabiot 

Adrien Rabiot

Adrien Rabiot may be leaving Juventus (Image credit: Getty)

Age: 28
Club: Juventus
Transfermarkt value: €40m

The France international’s five-year stint with Juve is set to come to an end, so could we finally see Rabiot in the Premier League after a decade or so’s worth of transfer rumours? The likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs have all be previously linked with the former PSG man. 

3. Mario Hermoso

Mario Hermoso Espanyol

Mario Hermoso is set to leave Atletico

Age: 28
Club: Atletico Madrid
Transfermarkt value: €25m

The former Real Madrid youth product has had plenty of suitors of late, with the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Juventus, AC Milan and Barcelona all linked, while the Saudi Pro League has also been sniffing around. 

Hermoso has been a key player for Diego Simeone since joining Atletico in 2019 and could be a very shrewd signing for the right team. 

4. Luka Modric

Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 10, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images) Kylian Mbappe

Luka Modric is 37 now (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 37
Club: Real Madrid
Transfermarkt value: €8m

The Croatian legend has been reduced to a bit-part player at Madrid, but his recent grumbling about a lack of playing time indicates that he believes he still has something to give. 

5. Piotr Zielinski

Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli during the Serie A football match between US Salernitana and SSC Napoli at Arechi stadium. Salerno (Italy), November 4th, 2023.

Piotr Zielinski has been at Napoli eight years – but that could be ending (Image credit: Cesare Purini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Age: 29
Club: Napoli
Transfermarkt value: €25m

A key player in Napoli’s recent successes, the Poland international looks set to leave the club after an eight-year spell. He has been heavily linked with a move to rivals Inter Milan after Napoli baulked at his contract demands.

6. Lloyd Kelly

Lloyd Kelly of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Bournemouth, England.

Lloyd Kelly has been linked with Spurs (Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Age: 25
Club: Bournemouth
Transfermarkt value: €16m

With Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola saying last month there was ‘no update’ on the defender’s contract, it looks increasingly like Kelly will be on his way in the summer. The Cherries may now be regretting turning down the £20million bid from Tottenham they turned down in the summer, while Spurs will find they have plenty of competition if they are to reignite their interest in the coming weeks. 

7. Thiago

Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium, Stratford on Wednesday 26th April 2023. (Photo by Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Thiago has endured another injury-hit season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 32
Club: Liverpool
Transfermarkt value: €10m

Injuries have hampered the Spain international’s season at Anfield, meaning that the 32-year-old has not had much of a role in the team’s new-look midfield. His experience has been useful in such a young unit, but with a summer of change coming at Liverpool, it’s hard to see them retaining him. 

Would seem like an obvious subject for Saudi interest. 

8. Che Adams

Che Adams celebrates

Che Adams could be leaving Southampton  (Image credit: Getty)

Age: 27 
Club: Southampton
Transfermarkt value: €15m

The Scotland international had several teams interested in signing him when Saints were relegated last season, with a fee of £15million banded around. Should the likes of Everton, Bournemouth and Wolves still harbour an interest in the striker, he should find himself with plenty of options in the summer. 

9. Guido Rodriguez

Manchester United target Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis during the UEFA Europa League match between Real Betis and Sparta Praha at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 5, 2023 in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo by DAX Images/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Guido Rodriguez has been linked with Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 29
Club: Real Betis
Transfermarkt value: €24m

The Argentine international’s future has been a hot topic in Spain, with the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid reportedly looking to pounce in the summer. 

The midfielder has also been linked with Manchester United, while Saudi Pro League teams are also said to be interested. 

10. Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane reacts to the supporters during Manchester United's draw with Liverpool

Raphael Varane is out of contract this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 30
Club: Manchester United
Transfermarkt value: €25m

Although Manchester United have a one-year option for the World Cup winner, it would be something of a surprise to see him remain at the club on his reported £300,000-a-week wage. 

It’s going to be a summer of comings and goings at Old Trafford as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and pals look to turn things around and for all of Varane’s experience, he’s unlikely to fit the profile of the kind of player the club wants moving forward. He should find himself plenty of options this summer though. 

11. Anthony Martial

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 2: Anthony Martial of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 2, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Anthony Martial has been a colossal disappointment at Old Trafford (Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 28
Club: Manchester United
Transfermarkt value: €10m

Another Manchester United player with a one-year option on his contract, but again, not the kind of player that the new regime will want to build around, especially after another underwhelming season. 

12. Rafa Silva

Rafa Silva controls the ball during the Portuguese league football match between Gil Vicente FC and SL Benfica at the Cidade de Barcelos stadium in Barcelos on August 26, 2023.

Rafa Silva has been good for Benfica this season (Image credit: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Age: 30
Club: Benfica
Transfermarkt value: €18m

A prolific season for Benfica means that Rafa has put himself firmly in the shop window ahead of a potential summer switch. 

Crystal Palace have previously been linked, but his recent form may see him and his representatives set their sights somewhat higher. 

13. Josh Brownhill

Josh Brownhill, Burnley

Josh Brownhill has had a tough time in the Premier League (Image credit: Burnley)

Age: 28
Club: Burnley
Transfermarkt value: €18m

There has been talk that Burnley will look to activate their one-year option on the midfielder’s contract, but until that’s done, there will be speculation over the 28-year-old’s future. 

Where he plays next season could depend on how the club’s relegation battle ends up, with the player more than capable of doing a job for a number of top flight sides.

14. Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi is a free agent this summer (Image credit: PA)

Age: 27
Club: Leicester City
Transfermarkt value: €16m

The Nigeria international has been a key part in Leicester City’s Championship promotion push this season, but with the 27-year-old’s contract running down and the Foxes in an FFP quagmire, it would be little surprise if he is on his way in the summer.

Galatasaray are one side said to be eyeing a move for him. 

15. Tosin Adarabioyo

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham applauds the fans after the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on January 24, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Age: 26
Club: Fulham
Transfermarkt value: €15m

Fulham and Adarabioyo are still trying to thrash out a new deal, but until they do, the 26-year-old’s many suitors will continue to monitor the situation. 

The former Manchester City youth product’s form has been excellent this season, meaning the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and AC Milan have been linked.

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Joe Mewis

For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.