Transfer Special and Betting Tips: The Best Free Agents on the Market this Summer
Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Everyone loves a transfer market bargain and a number of high-profile out of contract players are available to sign for free this summer.
With transfer fees continuing to spiral and inflation accelerating, it has become increasingly difficult for football clubs to find value in an exorbitant market.
However, savvy operators and smart movers can often strengthen their squads by snapping up some high-quality unattached footballers.
Let’s take a look at some of the free agents that are on the market this summer.
Keep up to date with the latest rumours and gossip with our Daily Transfer Update page here.
Arjen Robben
Legendary Dutch winger, like his French counterpart from the opposite flank Franck Ribery, leaves Bayern Munich this summer after a silverware-lined decade at the Bavarian club.
The 35-year old former Chelsea and Real Madrid star will have no shortage of offers this summer, and already Robben has been linked with moves to the Premier League, the MLS, the Chinese Super League and his native Netherlands.
With Robben entering the twilight years of his career, a move to the USA is likely to appeal to Dutchman, who will have watched the impact made there by veterans Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic with interest. The bookmakers think that the MLS is Robben’s likeliest destination at present, and more concrete movement in that direction feels inevitable.
Danny Welbeck
The versatile, 42-times capped former England international forward Danny Welbeck will be banking on someone taking a punt on him this summer in the hope that he can stay fit enough to make an impact next season.
Injuries have ravaged the unfortunate Danny Welbeck’s career since his first broke into the Manchester United first team in 2008, and last season the attacker was restricted to just 8 Premier League appearance for Arsenal.
Frustrated with his inability to stay off the treatment table, the Gunners have decided to cut Welbeck loose this month, and the 28-year old will be on the lookout for a new club during the current transfer window.
Everton are the early front-runners to pick Welbeck up, though convincing any club’s financial decision makers to sign the sick-note striker might be difficult.
Adrien Rabiot
Controversial French midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s move to Serie A giants and free transfer fetishists Juventus had looked all but complete, though fresh reports this week suggest that the 24-year old has asked the Old Lady for a “cooling off period” before finalising a move to Italy.
Rumours in France hint that Rabiot’s current employers PSG have made a last-ditch attempt to convince the schemer to pen a new deal in the French capital, muddying the players thinking amid interest from elsewhere.
Barcelona and Man Utd were also thought to be in the running for Rabiot’s signature, though the likeliest scenario would still see him joining Juventus this summer.
Dani Alves
Highly-decorated former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain defender Dani Alves is assessing his options this summer after his contract with the Parisian club expired.
The 36-year old was involved in a notable 32 games for the Ligue 1 champions in 2018/19, proving that his fitness and technical skill are still at remarkably high levels.
Alves had been strongly linked with a move back to his old club Barcelona, though the Catalan club have distanced themselves from those rumours this week.
That leaves Alves in limbo for now, and although he will have offers from the MLS and China, the Brazilian still has plenty to offer in Europe.
Gary Cahill
Long-serving veteran defender and former England international Gary Cahill disappeared off the radar almost completely in 2018/19, when he was left firmly on the periphery of first team affairs at Chelsea by Maurizio Sarri.
Having featured in 27 Premier League matches the season before, Cahill didn’t start a single game in England’s top flight last term, and now the 33-year old will be hoping to resurrect his career away from Stamford Bridge as soon as possible.
With bags of top-level experience and a solid track record of performance, Cahill could prove one of the steals of the summer for a Premier League club – and already Watford, Crystal Palace, West Ham and new boys Aston Villa are thought to be vying for his signature.
Mario Balotelli
Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli will be on the market this summer when his short-term contract with French club Marseille runs out.
The 28-year old has been a hit at OM since joining from Nice in January, scoring 8 times in 12 appearances for the club during a prolific finish to the campaign.
Stories linking Balotelli with concrete moves to dozens of clubs have already been doing the rounds this summer, however, at present, a return to Serie A seems the most likely outcome for the 34-times capped Italian international.
Andy Carroll
The much-maligned, perennially injured striker Andy Carroll is another big-name on the market for free this summer.
Cut from the cloth of a different area, the physically powerful, aerially dominant centre-forward has often looked at odds with the modern game, yet Carroll’s unique skillset can make him almost unplayable on his day.
There are certain to be plenty of Premier League clubs in the lower reaches of the division that see the 30-year old battering ram as potentially useful wildcard to unleash next year, and Carroll Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Burnley are among the favourites to pick him up for nothing.
Other players out of contract this summer
Ander Herrera
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Mile Jedinak
Glenn Whelan
Micah Richards
Jason Puncheon
Ashley Williams
Thomas Vermaelen
Phil Jagielka
Shinji Okazaki
Alberto Moreno
Daniel Sturridge
Antonio Valencia
Michel Vorm
Fernando Llorente
Samir Nasri
Yacine Brahimi
Max Kruse
Gianluigi Buffon
Felipe Luis
Daniele De Rossi
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hector Herrera
Free Agent XI Summer 2019
More: Premier League Done Deals: Every confirmed transfer in England’s top flight this summer
