sport news Free agent XI: Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi lead the stars who could leave ... trends now
A record-breaking £815million was spent by Premier League clubs across an unforgettable January transfer window.
The likes of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Ukrainian star Mikhailo Mudryk and wantaway Belgian Leandro Trossard found new teams in phenomenal deals.
But despite the sheer wealth currently seen in the transfer market, there are still several household names that could be picked up for free in the summer.
In fact, there are so many stars that are out of contract in June, that even one five-time Champions League winner would struggle to make the free agents best XI.
So, with the clock ticking, agents starting to make links and managers beginning to sweat, Sportsmail compiles a Free Agents XI of the best players whose contracts expire at the end of the season.
Several household names could leave their clubs for free in the summer, including Lionel Messi
GOALKEEPER - David de Gea
The 32-year-old Spaniard has been the Manchester United No 1 for more than a decade now, cementing his place as a legend at Old Trafford.
De Gea has made an extraordinary 516 appearances for Man United and is enjoying a stellar season under Erik ten Hag, racking up 13 clean sheets so far.
But with the Spain international out of contract in the summer, his time at Old Trafford may finally be coming to an end.
United triggered one-year contract extensions for Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred.
But while talks do still continue, De Gea is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford and is destined to be a free agent.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is yet to pen a new deal and could be a free agent
RIGHT-BACK - Hector Bellerin
The 27-year-old's career has stagnated since winning three FA Cups with Arsenal.
Bellerin was a popular figure at the Emirates, making 239 appearances, but his contract was mutually terminated after he fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta.
After returning to Barcelona on a free transfer, the Spaniard never failed to get going at the Nou Camp.
On deadline day, Bellerin joined Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season, where he will become a free agent once more in the summer.
Hector Bellerin's return to Barcelona did not go as planned and after joining Sporting Lisbon for the rest of this season, he will become a free agent
CENTRE-BACK - Evan Ndicka
The Frenchman has been one of Frankfurt's standout players in his five years at the club but has recently refused to sign a new deal with his current contract set to expire in the summer.
At 23-years-old, Ndicka will surely be picked up quickly, with the likes of title-challenging Arsenal reportedly interested.
Ndicka has spent five seasons with the German club and has made 165 appearances in all competitions for them.
Despite representing France at every level of youth football, the central defender is yet to receive a senior cap for Les Bleus.
Evan Ndicka has been at Eintracht Frankfurt for five years but he is expected to leave
CENTRE-BACK - Inigo Martinez
The 31-year-old Spain international has been a rock in the Athletic Bilbao defence for five years.
After making 239 appearances for the Basque side, Martinez looks set to leave for free in the summer.
He is out of contract at the end of June and with Barcelona hunting around for centre-backs, he could be on his way to the Nou Camp.
Martinez has struggled with knee and foot injuries this season but is an established defender with heaps of experience.
Experienced Inigo Martinez is out of contract in June, having spent five years at Athletic Bilbao
LEFT-BACK - Alejandro Grimaldo
After just losing World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea, Benfica are also set to see Alejandro Grimaldo depart in the summer.
The left-back has refused to sign a contract with the Portuguese giants and will be a free agent in the summer.
Bayern Munich and AC Milan have both expressed interest in the 27-year-old who has made 283 appearances for Benfica since joining in 2016.
It is hard to believe a product of Barcelona's La Masia academy could be snatched up for free soon.
Left-back Alejandro Grimaldo could follow Enzo Fernandez out of Benfica but for no fee
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - N'Golo Kante
He might not have featured much this season for Chelsea, but are there many defensive midfielders better than N'Golo Kante?
Kante has endured a torrid time with injuries over the last two seasons and is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The 31-year-old has achieved greatness in the game, winning back-to-back Premier League with underdogs Leicester in 2015-16, and Chelsea the following season.
He also won a Champions League in 2021 and a World Cup with France in
