The transfer window officially opens in just over a fortnight on July 1, and already we have seen several clubs getting some of their business done early doors rather than run the risk of paying way over the odds for an alternative option on deadline day.
As is the case every summer, a handful of bargains emerge in the form of free transfers. Last week, the Premier League published a list of players who have not had their contracts renewed by their respective clubs - many of which have already moved on.
Bournemouth-bound Jermain Defoe, West Ham's new first-choice right-back Pablo Zabaleta and Arsenal new boy Sead Kolasinac are just a few notable free agents, but there are a whole host of players in the football world still waiting to be signed up, with no transfer fee necessary.
Advert
Using data from Transfermarkt, we take a look at the some of the best bunch of players available on a free.
John Terry:
Starting with one of the most obvious choices, John Terry's 22-year stint with his beloved Chelsea has come to an end, and a number of clubs want him to continue his playing career with them - with Bournemouth and three Midlands clubs in West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham City, managed by bargain-hunter 'Arry' Redknapp all desperate to secure his services.
Though it was clear to see that the 36-year old wasn't cut out for playing as a regular in the Chelsea side, he'd be an excellent addition to the backline of any of the aforementioned four clubs.
Image: PA
Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
Sticking with the big guns, Manchester United elected against re-signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic for another despite the Swede's heroics at Old Trafford.
Advert
The 36-year old netted 28 goals in all competitions after arriving on a free transfer, but it was confirmed last week that United were not activating their option to have him in their ranks for another season, given that he will be on the sidelines for a considerable period after rupturing his ACL against Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter final second leg.
Zlatan will be allowed use the club's facilities as he looks to step up his recovery, and it's been noted that a short-term deal once he returns to full fitness isn't out of the realms of possibility.
However, he is free to move elsewhere if he wants to and according to his agent, Mino Raiola, the former PSG striker has a number of clubs keen on taking him on the books despite his lengthy lay-off.
Image: PA
Pepe:
In a post on Instagram, the Portuguese defender confirmed early this month, following Real Madrid's Champions League triumph over Juventus, that he is to leave the club after ten fruitful years in the Spanish capital.
Advert
The 34-year-old wanted a two-year contract the Bernabeu, but after only being offered a one-year deal by the club, he will move on to a new challenge.
PSG and Inter Milan have been the two clubs linked, and though his antics on the pitch have made him incredibly unpopular with the vast majority of football fans, there's no denying that any club that does sign him will have gained a world-class defender, and potentially the bargain of the summer.
Bacary Sagna:
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been prolific in releasing their dead wood, in fact eight players, including five first-teamers, were cut from the squad. Bacary Sagna, who won the League Cup with City after moving from Arsenal on a free three years ago, is once again a free agent.
Advert
While the decision to move him on was probably the right one, as it was with fellow right-back Pablo Zabaleta, he'd be a solid signing for a mid-table Premier League side. Crystal Palace have shown interest, though Marseille are also keen on bringing him back to his native France.
Image: PA
Willy Caballero:
Another City player who was shown the exit door, rather than being offered a new deal, is goalkeeper Willy Caballero. The former Malaga shot-stopper ended up forming a strong connection with the City faithful thanks to his penalty-saving heroics that won City the League Cup against Liverpool at Wembley in 2016, coupled with the inept displays from Claudio Bravo last term.
Advert
Newly-promoted Newcastle have expressed interest in bringing him to St. James' Park, where he'd likely be first-choice, while Chelsea have been linked with signing him as back-up to Thibaut Courtois after Asmir Begovic left for Bournemouth.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting:
Moving away from the Premier League for a brief moment, Cameroonian forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is set to be a free agent imminently given that his contract is up with Schalke, and there doesn't appear to be an offer on the table to renew it.
The 28-year old still has plenty to offer and is attracting interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. Whoever snaps him up will be getting the player with the best-sounding name in football, that's for sure.
Image: PA
Gael Clichy:
The former Arsenal man was a great servant to Manchester City, where he won two Premier League titles and two League cups, but it's time for him to move on, as there is a desperate need for full-backs who are much more productive in both a defensive and attacking sense.
Still, like his fellow French defender Bacary Sagna, he has enough about him to be of decent value to a lower-ranked side.
Mario Balotelli:
Having enjoyed his most successful season in professional football, where he scored 17 goals in all competitions as Lucien Favre's Nice side qualified for next season's Champions League courtesy of a third place finish, one would think that Mario Balotelli would be a shoo-in for continuing his revival with the club.
However, he only signed a one-year deal, and that contract is due to expire in the coming weeks.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker's agent, Mino Raiola, named the clubs interested in signing the 26-year old, before going one step further and 'confirming' he will sign for Borussia Dortmund, who recently replaced manager Thomas Tuchel with Ajax boss Peter Bosz.
Image: PA
Victor Valdes:
The three-time Champions League winner was never going to stick around following Middlesbrough's relegation back down to the Championship and his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
The 35-year old featured 28 times for Boro last term before a rib injury meant he was on the sidelines for the latter stages of the campaign, with Brad Guzan, now also moved on, filling in between the sticks. Valdes isn't getting any younger but his experience and know-how can still be of great use.
Deportivo La Coruna, managed by former West Brom boss Pepe Mel, have been linked with the former Manchester United man.
Dimitar Berbatov:
The technically gifted striker has been without a club since being released by Greek side PAOK over a year ago and though he's getting on a bit, at 36, we reckon the former Spurs, Manchester United and Fulham striker still has plenty of individual brilliance left in his locker.
'Berba's latest appearance on a football pitch came in star-studded charity legends games, but we implore someone, somewhere, to offer him a permanent route back into football.
Image: PA
What do you make of our list? Have we missed anyone out?
Sound off in the comments section below.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: John Terry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Premier League