Salah, Vlahovic and 47 more star free agents available this summer
We’re gradually returning to club football after the World Cup. So what’s going to dominate the headlines now? Transfers, of course. Alongside blockbuster deals worth tens of millions, we’ll also be following the futures of players who currently find themselves without a club.
The summer of 2026 is unusual in that respect. We’ve put together a list of almost 50 star players who are currently free agents. Some are still capable of performing at the very highest level, while others may be not only searching for a new club but also considering retirement.
One important note: this list only includes players who became free agents this summer. That’s why you won’t find the likes of Dele Alli, Philippe Coutinho or Sergio Ramos here. They’ve already been without clubs for several months, although none of them has officially announced their retirement.
Even without them, it’s an impressive list.
Mohamed Salah
34 years old
Last club – Liverpool
Arguably the biggest-name free agent of the summer.
That doesn’t necessarily make him an ideal signing for a top club. Firstly, the Egyptian is already 34, which is a significant age for a player in his position. Secondly, Salah is almost certain to demand a high salary. It may not be as much as he earned at Liverpool, but any club hoping to sign him will still need to commit a considerable amount of money.
Reports surrounding Salah’s future intensified after the World Cup. Sporting Kansas City were linked with the winger, although Salah reportedly wants to remain in Europe. Later, rumours emerged that Besiktas were prepared to offer him €12 million per year. Turkish insiders claimed the two sides had already reached an agreement, but the club quickly denied those reports. Salah’s agent says he still doesn’t know where the Egyptian will play next season.
John Stones
32 years old
Last club – Manchester City
At the end of May, Stones said goodbye to Manchester City after spending ten years at the club. He then spent a month and a half with the England national team, helping them win bronze medals at the 2026 World Cup.
Now comes a new challenge – choosing the next club of his career. And there appears to be no shortage of suitors.
Back in the spring, Bayern Munich were reportedly interested in signing Stones, although those rumours have since gone quiet. Instead, the defender could remain in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea both reportedly considering a move for the experienced free agent.
Leon Goretzka
31 years old
Last club – Bayern Munich
Although Goretzka was no longer an undisputed starter at Bayern, he still played an important role in the club’s success last season. Five goals and five assists in 48 appearances is a respectable return for a player Bayern had reportedly been looking to move on for quite some time.
There is no shortage of clubs interested in signing him: Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Inter and Juventus have all been linked. Chicago Fire also made an offer, but Goretzka doesn’t appear ready to lower his ambitions just yet, despite the chance to reunite with former Bayern team-mate Robert Lewandowski.
Jadon Sancho
26 years old
Last club – Aston Villa / Manchester United
Sancho enters what should be the prime years of his career as a free agent, and he has nobody to blame but himself.
His falling-out with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United led to loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and, last season, Aston Villa. His campaign under Unai Emery was underwhelming, producing just one goal and three assists in 39 appearances.
His loan at Villa officially ended on the final day of June, while his Manchester United contract expired the following day.
Perhaps the biggest concern is the lack of interest from other clubs. So far, the only significant rumour suggests a possible return to Borussia Dortmund. But do they really need him?
Dusan Vlahovic
26 years old
Last club – Juventus
Juventus wanted to part ways with Vlahovic as early as last summer, but no move materialised. The striker responded by trying to prove he deserved his place, scoring 10 goals in 23 matches despite suffering a serious injury during the season.
At the beginning of the summer, Juventus even offered him a new contract, but Vlahovic turned it down.
“Too many demands,” Juventus president commented after the striker’s departure.
Now Vlahovic is searching for a new club. He is reportedly asking for €8 million per year along with a substantial signing bonus. While Milan and Bayern Munich were linked with him earlier this year, the latest rumours point towards Besiktas. According to Nicolo Schira, negotiations between the two parties have already begun.
Dani Carvajal
34 years old
Last club – Real Madrid
Injuries prevented Carvajal from enjoying a proper final season at Real Madrid. And after recovering, Alvaro Arbeloa didn’t rely on him much either. However, Carvajal did start Real Madrid’s final two matches of the season, wearing the captain’s armband on both occasions.
He is now searching for a new club. There is currently no concrete information regarding his next destination, but Carvajal has stated that he intends to continue playing football next season.
Mauro Icardi
33 years old
Last club – Galatasaray
Fifteen goals and two assists last season showed that the Argentine striker still knows how to do his job. But it’s important to remember that he was scoring in the Turkish league, so he shouldn’t expect an offer from one of the top clubs in Europe’s top leagues.
Raheem Sterling
31 years old
Last club – Feyenoord
Yes, Sterling is only 31, even though it feels like he hasn’t played football for ages. After an unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal came six months without a club, then free-agent status in January, followed by a contract with Feyenoord.
The Englishman failed to make an impact in the Netherlands as well – eight appearances and one assist. Now he’s a free agent once again.
There are no rumours linking the former England international with a new club at the moment. There are, however, stories from the tabloids – at the end of May, Sterling was detained on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
David Alaba
34 years old
Last club – Real Madrid
During his five years at the Madrid giants, Alaba spent more time recovering from injuries than playing football. Even so, despite making just 16 appearances last season, he still earned a place in Austria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, starting every match and wearing the captain’s armband.
So what’s next for the 34-year-old? There is no clear information from the leading insiders yet, but if he wants to, the Austrian should still be capable of spending another season or two in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Julian Brandt
30 years old
Last club – Borussia Dortmund
For seven years, Brandt was a reliable servant for Dortmund, even if he was never regarded as the team’s biggest star. Even in his final season, he made a significant contribution, recording 11 goals and four assists in 41 appearances.
Reports suggest Atletico Madrid are interested in the 30-year-old German. There’s also a Premier League option, with Leeds United reportedly keen to sign him.
Anthony Martial
30 years old
Last club – Monterrey
One of the brightest young forwards of the previous decade has now turned 30, and he finds himself a free agent for the second time in his career. After leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2024, the Frenchman eventually found a new club in AEK. He stayed there until last September before joining Mexican side Monterrey.
One goal in 20 appearances tells you everything you need to know about Martial’s current form.
Franck Kessie
29 years old
Last club – Al Ahli
Another player on this list who spent the 2026 World Cup as a free agent. And he performed well – starting every match for Ivory Coast and even scoring against Germany.
Three years in Saudi Arabia may have taken the edge off Kessie, but Juventus don’t seem to think so. According to reports, the Turin club want the midfielder in their squad.
Fabinho
32 years old
Last club – Al Ittihad
The same three seasons in Saudi Arabia didn’t cost Fabinho his place in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. He wasn’t a regular starter, but he still featured in three of Brazil’s five matches at the tournament.
Perhaps that will improve the Brazilian midfielder’s standing in the eyes of potential suitors. His contract with Al Ittihad has expired, but there have been no new offers so far. Even the rumours linking him with Fluminense turned out to be false.
Yves Bissouma
29 years old
Last club – Tottenham
The 29-year-old defensive midfielder spent most of last season recovering from injury, which limited him to just 605 minutes during the final year of his Tottenham contract.
But we’ll certainly hear his name again – Fulham and Benfica are reportedly battling to sign the midfielder.
Lorenzo Pellegrini
30 years old
Last club – Roma
After nine years, Pellegrini’s time at Roma has come to an end, with the two sides deciding not to extend his contract. The Italian still enjoyed a solid final season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 33 appearances. It could have been even better had injuries not interrupted his campaign. One of them, suffered towards the end of the season, also prevented him from properly saying goodbye to the Roma supporters.
Italian media report that Inter, Juventus and Napoli are all interested in signing him.
Not bad options.
Stephan El Shaarawy
33 years old
Last club – Roma
El Shaarawy can only dream of offers like those. The 33-year-old winger scored just two goals in his final season for the club.
But will it prove to be the final season of his career? We’ll find out in the coming weeks.
Georginio Wijnaldum
35 years old
Last club – Al Ettifaq
Two years ago, Wijnaldum represented the Netherlands at Euro 2024. But even at that tournament it was clear that he could no longer cope with the difference in level between top-level football and the Saudi Pro League. Since then, he hasn’t been called up by the national team.
Now he dreams of returning. Not to the Netherlands squad, but to England. Reports of that first emerged back in the spring.
The question is: which Premier League club would want a 35-year-old midfielder whose last club was Al Ettifaq?
Thomas Partey
33 years old
Last club – Villarreal
Partey failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Villarreal after leaving Arsenal. However, he still made Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, although the long-running rape allegations against him resurfaced during the tournament – he was unable to travel to Canada for Ghana’s opening match against Panama.
That could also make it difficult for the 33-year-old midfielder to find a new club in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Francesco Acerbi
38 years old
Last club – Inter
This is one of those cases where nobody would be surprised if the player announced his retirement this summer. Acerbi was no longer a regular starter for Inter last season, increasingly beginning matches on the bench. He still made 26 appearances, though.
There have been rumours of interest from Sassuolo. We’ll see where they lead.
Andrea Belotti
32 years old
Last club – Cagliari
A striker who once attracted €50 million offers is now no longer wanted even by Cagliari. Things actually started well for Andrea, as he scored twice in only his second appearance for the club. But then… A torn ACL completely ruined his season. He returned to the pitch in April, but was limited to just five substitute appearances.
At first, reports claimed Cagliari had extended his contract, but it recently emerged that wasn’t true. The 32-year-old Belotti is now looking for the next challenge of his career.
James Rodriguez
35 years old
Last club – Minnesota United
Eight appearances and two assists – that’s how James leaves MLS. By now, we’re used to seeing the Colombian turn up at the most random clubs, but one thing never changes – he’ll always be part of the national team. That was the case again this summer, with Rodriguez playing in all five of Colombia’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
What’s next? There have been reports of interest from Lazio. It wouldn’t be surprising. Then again, neither would a move to almost any other club on the planet.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
29 years old
Last club – Ajax
Everyone knows Zinchenko’s story – a January move to Ajax followed by a serious injury in only his second match for the club. The Amsterdam side decided not to continue with him.
There have been very few rumours about his next club. But we’re certainly looking forward to seeing the Ukrainian back on the pitch.
Marcelo Brozovic
33 years old
Last club – Al Nassr
A 33-year-old midfielder who has been playing in Saudi Arabia since 2023 and hasn’t been called up by Croatia for a couple of years.
Who wants him? Real Madrid.
Well, at least that’s what insider Sacha Tavolieri claims. Jose Mourinho supposedly values the Croatian’s experience and is ready to give him a season at the club. But let’s not rush to believe it – it would be a very surprising signing.
Joselu
36 years old
Last club – Al Gharafa
Joselu earned his place among football’s stars with that unforgettable brace against Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 Champions League semi-finals, so there’s no way we could leave him off this list.
He spent the last two years seeing out his contract in Qatar, doing a respectable job with 26 goals in 55 appearances. Now he could be on his way back to Europe.
Dani Ceballos
29 years old
Last club – Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s eternal backup has finally become a free agent. Ceballos is still only 29 and should have plenty left to offer.
For now, though, there have been very few rumours linking him with a new club. During last season there were reports that Marseille were monitoring him, but nothing concrete has emerged since.
Wilfried Zaha
33 years old
Last club – Charlotte FC / Galatasaray
Since leaving Crystal Palace, Zaha has been a huge disappointment. He failed to return to his former level at Galatasaray, or during his loan spells with Lyon and Charlotte.
Presnel Kimpembe
30 years old
Last club – Qatar SC
The World Cup winner and former PSG captain has barely played football in recent years. Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Kimpembe has made just… 31 appearances. And he’s only just turned 30.
Reports suggest he’ll continue playing, although in Qatar’s second division, where Al Kharaitiyat are ready to offer him a place in the squad.
Adama Traore
30 years old
Last club – West Ham
Modern football’s biggest bodybuilder is once again without a club. Traore joined West Ham from Fulham in January. The club were relegated from the Premier League, while the Spaniard was probably remembered most for almost ripping Joao Pedro apart during a match against Chelsea.
Even so, a physical specimen like him should still be useful to someone.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
27 years old
Last club – Ajax
For the second summer in a row, the former Arsenal defender is searching for a new club. Last year he eventually found one at Ajax, although he made just nine appearances all season.
Now he may have to take another step down. Venezia are ready to offer the Japanese defender a three-year contract, although he hasn’t made a decision yet.
Nabil Fekir
33 years old
Last club – Al Jazira
It’s interesting to wonder how Fekir’s career might have turned out if his move to Liverpool had actually happened several years ago.
But there’s little point thinking about it now. Two years in the UAE have virtually closed the door on a return to Europe’s top leagues.
Riyad Mahrez
35 years old
Last club – Al Ahli
Mahrez wasn’t supposed to be on this list, but at the beginning of July Al Ahli unexpectedly announced that his contract had been terminated.
Now the Algerian is looking for a new club. There were rumours linking him with Como, but the Italian side denied any interest in signing the veteran winger.
Raphael Guerreiro
32 years old
Last club – Bayern Munich
Guerreiro arrived as a free agent and leaves Bayern in exactly the same way. Fourteen goals and eight assists in almost 100 appearances for the German giants suggest everyone should be satisfied with how things turned out.
The former Portugal international is now choosing his next club. AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are both reportedly interested.
Nikola Vasilj
30 years old
Last club – St. Pauli
He may not be such a big name on the global stage, but over the past year Nikola has certainly earned the right to be described as more than just the “former Zorya goalkeeper.”
If it hadn’t been for Vasilj, St. Pauli would have lost any hope of staying in the Bundesliga much earlier in the season. The club still finished bottom of the table and were relegated, but five teams conceded more goals.
After his performances at the World Cup, it seemed he still had a chance of remaining in one of Europe’s top leagues. For now, though, there are only rumours linking him with Al Draih… in Saudi Arabia’s second division.
Stefan Ortega
33 years old
Last club – Nottingham Forest
Perhaps when Ortega left Manchester City for Nottingham Forest, he hoped to finally become a first-choice goalkeeper again after spending three and a half years as Ederson’s backup.
But he ended up being a backup at Forest as well. Injury certainly played a part, but his final tally of 10 appearances (three in the Premier League and seven in the Europa League) wasn’t enough to convince the club to keep him.
Now he could return to Germany.
Jamie Vardy
39 years old
Last club – Cremonese
Vardy’s move to Cremonese last summer looked unusual, but even in his new surroundings Jamie still did his job well, scoring seven goals for a Serie A relegation candidate.
However, his contract was only for one year, so Vardy is once again looking for a new club. He’s training at Leicester City’s training ground, so perhaps we’ll see the club legend return. Although Leicester will begin next season in League One.
Orjan Nyland
35 years old
Last club – Sevilla
Nyland started last season as Sevilla’s first-choice goalkeeper, but lost his place after just five league matches.
He didn’t return to the starting line-up until the final game of the season.
Even so, he still earned a place in Norway’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. He was even the first-choice goalkeeper there, missing only the third group-stage match against France after Norway had already secured qualification for the knockout stage.
After performances like that at the biggest international tournament, he’ll no doubt be hoping for offers.
So far, though, there have been no concrete rumours linking the Norwegian with another club.
Ricardo Rodriguez
33 years old
Last club – Real Betis
The 33-year-old defender predictably represented Switzerland at yet another major tournament, taking his tally to 144 international appearances.
If he wants to add to that total, he’ll first need to find a new club this summer.
Rodriguez spent two seasons at Betis. He wasn’t an undisputed starter, but he still looks capable of being useful. Perhaps at a slightly smaller club.
Matteo Darmian
36 years old
Last club – Inter
The defender barely featured for Inter last season, playing just 246 minutes in Serie A.
However, Darmian insists he isn’t ready to retire.
“Honestly, I feel good and I want to keep playing. I don’t have any limitations. I’m listening to and considering the offers that come in, but I’d like to stay in Italy.”
Cristhian Stuani
39 years old
Last club – Girona
The Girona legend doesn’t seem willing to follow the club down to the Segunda Division again, as he has done before.
Although perhaps it wasn’t his decision. There have been no reports suggesting Girona offered Stuani a new contract.
Despite his age, the Uruguayan still knows where the goal is, scoring five La Liga goals in just 396 minutes last season.
Sergi Roberto
34 years old
Last club – Como
Nine years ago, Sergi Roberto scored the decisive goal in one of the greatest comebacks in football history, helping Barcelona knock Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League.
But it’s now been two years since he left the Catalan club.
Last season he played for Como, making 37 appearances, although he was far from a regular starter, accumulating just 1,493 minutes on the pitch.
He’s currently training at Barcelona’s facilities while waiting for offers ahead of next season.
Axel Witsel
37 years old
Last club – Girona
Despite his age and Girona’s relegation from La Liga, Witsel still earned a place in Belgium’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
He even featured in two knockout matches, although he wasn’t able to make much of an impact.
Now the Belgian needs to find a new club.
Most likely not in one of Europe’s top leagues, but offers should still come.
Adnan Januzaj
31 years old
Last club – Sevilla
It feels like only yesterday we were admiring the young Manchester United winger after his match-winning brace against Sunderland in the Premier League.
But 13 years have passed, and Januzaj is now over 30.
The Belgian clearly never fulfilled the expectations placed on him, although he tried to remain in Europe’s top leagues. Last season he scored just two goals for Sevilla, and both came against Toledo in the Copa del Rey.
Chris Smalling
36 years old
Last club – Al Fayha
The former Manchester United and England centre-back spent two years in Saudi Arabia, but his contract with Al Fayha has now expired, leaving him open to new offers.
There have been no rumours of negotiations with any clubs so far.
Retirement is becoming an increasingly realistic possibility.
Pedro
38 years old
Last club – Lazio
Even at 38, Pedro remained an important attacking player for Lazio.
Last season, the Spaniard scored five goals and provided two assists for the Roman club.
There has been no news regarding whether he’ll continue playing, nor has he announced his retirement.
We’ll wait and see.
Edin Dzeko
40 years old
Last club – Schalke
Dzeko is even older than Pedro, but he’s still in excellent shape.
The 40-year-old striker helped Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for the 2026 World Cup before representing his country at the tournament itself.
At club level, the Bosnian is still producing as well. Six goals and three assists in 11 matches during the second half of last season helped Schalke secure promotion back to the Bundesliga.
According to reports, the club are ready to offer Dzeko another one-year contract, but the striker is still considering his future.
Juan Cuadrado
38 years old
Last club – Pisa
A player capable of covering any position down the right flank could still prove useful to plenty of clubs.
Last season Pisa gave him that opportunity, and Cuadrado managed to score once.
The Colombian loves Serie A, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him join one of the newly promoted sides.
Alexis Sanchez
37 years old
Last club – Sevilla
Another star of the previous decade who has no intention of retiring.
Since 2020, the Chilean has only found new clubs as a free agent.
Sevilla, who signed Alexis last summer, are unlikely to regret the decision. Four goals and two assists in 28 La Liga appearances proved to be valuable contributions during a difficult season.
Juan Jesus
35 years old
Last club – Napoli
The Brazilian defender found himself on the bench towards the end of last season, but he still made 35 appearances for Napoli during the 2025/26 campaign.
That should be enough to attract interest from other clubs.
Back in May, Sporting CP and two Brazilian clubs were reportedly interested in signing him.
