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With the summer transfer window fast approaching, many top teams around Europe will be looking to bolster their squads, spending absurd amounts of money in the process.
Last summer, Premier League clubs spent £2.36 billion on players – a new record for transfer spending – and it’s unlikely this trend of increased year-on-year expenditure will stop come June.
International tournaments are also notorious for inflating players’ transfer fees if they impress, meaning this summer’s Euros in Germany will almost certainly result in clubs shelling out huge sums of cash to acquire talent.
However, these clubs would be foolish to overlook the impressive array of players who can be snapped up for free when their contracts run out in just a few months. With Financial Fair Play regulations and hangover from the Covid-19 pandemic having a huge influence on how much teams can spend, club owners would be wise to turn their attention towards signing players at zero cost.
As such, Mail Sport has put together 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.
Many impressive players - including PSG's Kylian Mbappe - are free agents this summer
Although nothing has yet been confirmed, Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid this summer
Mail Sport has made a Free Agents XI of the players available for nothing ahead of the summer
A product of the famous Genk youth academy that has produced the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Casteels has spent all of his professional career in Germany.
However, this could change in the summer when the Belgium international’s time at Wolfsburg comes to an end following a nine-year spell.
Having made 233 appearances for Die Wolfe and represented his country on eight occasions, a move for Casteels would represent a savvy piece of business for sides looking to add a tried and tested keeper to their ranks.
Nottingham Forest reportedly made a move for the goalie in January, making the Premier League a likely destination for him next season.
Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels is out of contract with Wolfsburg this year
The West Ham star has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, having seen his minutes deplete under David Moyes this season.
Johnson's versatility has almost been a vice for him during his days with the Hammers, adept at playing across the back four but seemingly never trusted to operate one role in the starting XI consistently.
It appears the English defender is ready to start a new chapter and could be on the way out of West Ham for nothing this summer. Leeds United are understood to be interested in a move for Johnson, although their ambition will rest heavily on their success in the Championship playoffs.
At 24, Johnson still has plenty of mileage left in him and could be a fruitful pick-up on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Leeds United are reportedly interested in Ben Johnson, who looks set to exit West Ham for free
Those familiar with Spanish and English football will need no introduction to the France international, who has picked up a remarkable 21 trophies throughout his career, including four Champions Leagues and a World Cup.
Varane is widely regarded as one of the outstanding players of his generation and is undoubtedly an icon of Real Madrid, the club who boast the game’s most illustrious list of current and former players.
Despite his achievements for France and Los Blancos, Varane has had a turbulent time in England since arriving at Old Trafford in 2021.
The defender has been in and out of the starting lineup under Erik ten Hag and has seemingly struggled to adapt to the English game in the way United fans would have hoped.
However, at 31 years of age, Varane is still a player who could make an impact at a whole host of top European clubs.
If United do decide to part ways with the coveted centre back, he won’t be short of managers and coaches looking to get him on the books.
Raphael Varane will attract significant interest if the defender parts ways with Man United
Since leaving Manchester City in 2020, Tosin has enjoyed a successful couple of seasons at Fulham under Marco Silva.
Although the 26-year-old defender is yet to receive his first England call-up, he could be an outside choice for inclusion in this year’s Euros squad given the Three Lions’ frailty in defensive positions.
He predominantly plays at centre back for Fulham, but has featured at right back on occasion.
With his contract expiring soon, the Fulham man has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United his most likely
