Free agents Premier League clubs should sign in 2024

Football may have entered an age of dizzying transfer sagas and record-breaking fees, but top clubs around Europe still scour the free agent market for the best bargains every window.

It'll be no different for Premier League teams this summer. While the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City among others will undoubtedly part with significant sums of cash to bolster their squads, the more frugal sides in England's top flight will be digging through the bargain bin for the best value-for-money signings.

So which cheap options should Premier League clubs be monitoring ahead of the summer transfer window? Here are 90min's top picks.

Oh, and we've left Kylian Mbappe off our selections, mainly because it's clear already where he wants to go once his deal with Paris Saint-Germain runs out.

1. Josh Brownhill (Burnley)

Burnley's return to the Premier League hasn't gone to plan as of yet, with the Clarets staring down the barrel of relegation back to the Championship.

One player set to continue in the English top flight is midfielder Josh Brownhill, who 90min understands has previously been of interest to Southampton and West Ham.

A move to one of the division's heavy-hitters is unlikely, but a mid-table side in the Premier League could do worse than to bolster their squad with the hard-working 28-year-old.

2. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester)

Wilfred Ndidi was regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League before Leicester's relegation, impressing with his ball-winning abilities.

Having only turned 27 in December, the Nigeria international will believe he still has a few more excellent seasons in him to offer clubs sniffing around the European places.

Ndidi hasn't played since late 2023 due to injury, so a return to fitness and form is needed to convince Premier League teams to bring him in.

3. Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo)

A slightly more left-field candidate approaching free agency is Gabriel Barbosa, who is winding down the final few months of his deal in Brazil with Flamengo.

The 27-year-old's first venture into European football didn't go swimmingly, signing for Inter in 2016. He scored once in ten games and was sent away from San Siro three times on loan, eventually departing permanently to return to his hometown.

There were criticisms of his attitude during his time in Italy, so there may not be a huge queue of clubs lining up for his signature. However, Gabigol's goal record back in Brazil can't be disputed, so he may be worth a punt.

4. Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth)

Defenders with pace and versatility are all the rage right now. Lloyd Kelly is one such player who has impressed on the south coast at Bournemouth.

Cherries manager Andoni Iraola has largely used the 25-year-old as a squad option, filling in at centre-back and left-back when needed, but he has still attracted interest from some Premier League giants in recent months.

90min understands Tottenham had a late summer bid turned down, while Newcastle and Liverpool were considering moves during the January window.

5. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Who says no to a Tottenham return for Luka Modric? Oh, Modric does? OK, forget that then.

The Croatian Ballon d'Or winner may prefer a new challenge once he leaves Real Madrid as expected at the end of the season, but a return to England would be welcomed by fans keen to watch his final swan-song up close.

Where he would end up is a little less obvious. Chelsea need an experienced head in midfield, so perhaps Modric could guide some of their fledgling youngsters having missed out on a move to Stamford Bridge roughly ten years ago.

That said, he might not fancy the ordeal of playing for the current-day Chelsea, which is fair enough.

6. Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma)

Leonardo Spinazzola's current resume doesn't scream 'future Premier League transfer' given he's hot-stepped all over Italy.

However, English sides took notice of the flying wing-back during Euro 2020 before his campaign was curtailed. The 30-year-old showed his attacking intent and quality before his tournament with the ultimately successful Azzurri was cut short by injury.

A stay in Serie A seems more than likely, but stranger moves have happened.

7. Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)

We've hit the point in Adrien Rabiot's time at Juventus where he starts playing like prime Zinedine Zidane, just like he did before leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

Perhaps this writer is biased against the France international, but it matters little either way. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and, if an extension isn't agreed with Juve, he'll be picking up another handsome signing-on bonus at a new club in the summer.

Man Utd have been linked in the past, though whether he would stabilise their worryingly open midfield is another thing entirely.

8. Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Having been with Atletico Madrid since the age of eight, it would be a dagger to the hearts of football romantics if club captain Koke were to leave this summer.

Diego Simeone is yet to ditch him from his preferred starting XI given his iconic status in the squad, but club officials are yet to offer new terms that are acceptable for Koke.

A more than tidy operator who can play centrally and out wide, Premier League clubs will be all over the 32-year-old if he's available on a free.

9. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

While Modric's exit from Real Madrid looks more likely with every passing week, fellow veteran midfielder Toni Kroos is still showing his worth for Carlo Ancelotti.

Kroos, who is set to play for Germany at Euro 2024, says he is still mulling over his next move and has been linked with a return to Bayern Munich, though he quickly dispelled those rumours.

The pass master would fit in like a glove at Man City, having previously played under Pep Guardiola, but there's every chance he extends his stay in Madrid for another year.

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