sport news The superb XI of stars who could be going for FREE this summer trends now
As the transfer merry-go-round begins to grease its wheels following the conclusion of domestic seasons across Europe, supporters of all clubs are dreaming of the big-money signings they will make this summer.
The past campaign saw record-breaking sums splashed out by Premier League clubs, with spending reaching an enormous £2.8billion.
Something similar is expected again over the coming months as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool look to close the gap on potential Treble-winners Manchester City.
However, it is easy to forget that heavy-spending does not always translate into success - just ask Todd Boehly and Co at Chelsea, who finished in the bottom-half for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign despite spending more than £600m on 18 players across the summer and winter transfer windows.
In light of that, Mail Sport has compiled 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.
Karim Benzema is set to move to Saudi side Al-Ittihad on a free transfer after leaving Real Madrid on Sunday and he is one of many stars around the world out of contract
It has been an interesting season for David de Gea at Manchester United, with the Spaniard now having been the club's No. 1 for more than a decade.
He has racked up 545 appearances for United and in February surpassed Peter Schmeichel as the club’s all-time record holder for clean sheets with 190 shut-outs. The Spaniard also won this season’s Premier League Golden Glove award.
Despite an impressive campaign on paper for De Gea, there has been plenty of criticism to go with it, as he has regularly been slammed for mistakes - including Ilkay Gundogan's second goal in the FA Cup final last week - and his inability to play out from the back.
He is on the verge of signing a new contract, having agreed terms, but it has yet to be signed off by United, and what unfolded at Wembley could still have consequences.
At the very least, De Gea knows his No 1 status is no longer guaranteed and until that new deal is signed off, he is in line to become a free agent on June 30.
David de Gea is out of contract this month and is still yet to pen an extension with Man United
It was only a technicality that means former Tottenham defender Matt Doherty is on this list, with Spurs forced to terminate his contract in January ahead of a planned loan move to Atletico Madrid.
This was because a FIFA ruling permits clubs from sending out more than eight players on loan per season - a quota that Doherty's former club didn't realise they had already fulfilled.
Nevertheless, he struggled to make much of an impact in the Spanish capital, playing 16 minutes across two substitute appearances.
The Irishman is set to leave after signing just a six-month deal with Diego Simeone's side and could be an astute pick-up for most Premier League sides.
Matt Doherty is expected to leave Atletico Madrid after failing to make an impact in Spain
Spain international Inigo Martinez, 32, has been a rock in the Athletic Bilbao defence for six years.
After making 177 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 has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona as Xavi continues his plans to reshape his side despite their LaLiga title win.
Martinez has struggled with knee and foot injuries this season but is an established defender with heaps of experience.
The former Real Sociedad star has spent his whole career in the Basque country, but that looks set to change come next season.
Athletico Bilbao's defensive stalwart Inigo Martinez has been strongly linked with Barcelona
French defender Evan Ndicka has been one of Frankfurt's standout players in his five years at the club but has refused to sign a new deal with his current contract expiring imminently.
At 23-years-old, Ndicka will surely be picked up quickly, with the likes of Arsenal reportedly interested.
The left-sided centre back has made 183 appearances for Frankfurt and was integral as they won the Europa League in 2021-22, while he was also voted into Bundesliga team of the season last year.
Despite representing France at every level of youth football, the central defender - who broke through the ranks with Auxerre - is yet to receive a senior cap for Les Bleus, although it is surely just a matter time.
Evan Ndicka promises to be an astute pick-up for many top sides as prepares to leave Frankfurt
Raphael Guerreiro could be ending his seven-year spell with Borussia Dortmund soon as the 62-capped Portugal international is yet to extend his contract at the club.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign with the German giants as they heartbreakingly missed out on the Bundesliga title on the final day, adding 12 assists and scoring four goals in just 27 appearances.
In total, during his time at Signal Iduna Park, he has provided 90 goal contributions in 224 games.
Guerreiro has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but could provide a
