Out of contract in 2024: Football's best free agents at the end of the season
- Kylian Mbappe set to be the biggest free agent in 2024
- Whole host of talent currently poised to depart current clubs for nothing next summer
- More and more players taking advantage of Bosman ruling in post-Covid world
By 90min Staff
It's hardly a modern phenomenon thanks to Jean-Marc Bosman's tireless efforts, but more and more high-level players are seemingly allowing their contracts to run down in order to become free agents.
For clubs, acquiring players for nothing (wages notwithstanding) is a hugely enticing prospect given the financial situation for the vast majority of European clubs in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
While the situation is bound to change in the coming months, there's currently an abundance of stellar talent who could be free agents at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Here's the 25 most eye-catching players currently available for nothing come summer 2024...
1. Kylian Mbappe
Current club: PSG
Age: 25
Position: Forward
The transfer that's been years in the making is finally set to go down this summer.
Kylian Mbappe has more than flirted with the idea of leaving PSG on several occasions, but after yet another transfer saga involving the French superstar failed to result in a move away, Mbappe will be leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Real Madrid, perpetually attached to the Frenchman, have agreed a mammoth deal to bring Mbappe to the Spanish capital.
2. Luka Modric
Current club: Real Madrid
Age: 38
Position: Midfielder
A Real Madrid career that has lasted almost 14 years already could be coming to an end. Having signed an extension last summer, Luka Modric's days at the Bernabeu may be numbered.
The Croatian maestro has seen his role diminish this season, but his quality remains obvious when he does take to the field. For now, all the options remain on the table for Modric.
3. Raphael Varane
Current club: Man Utd
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, Raphael Varane is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the campaign.
There will be plenty of suitors for the centre-back come the summer transfer window, with Man Utd expected to let him leave at the end of the season. The club opted against triggering the one-year extension clause in his current deal.
4. Mats Hummels
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 35
Position: Defender
After suffering Bundesliga heartbreak with Dortmund at the end of last season, Hummels signed a one-year contract extension with the German side in May 2023.
The experienced centre-back has been back to his best this campaign, putting in some particularly eye-catching displays in the Champions League with Dortmund enjoying a deep run in the competition.
5. Toni Kroos
Current club: Real Madrid
Age: 34
Position: Midfielder
While Real Madrid have taken several steps to rejuvenating their midfield in recent years, Kroos continues to play at an incredibly high level and there's no doubt that he has more to give in the Spanish capital.
It wouldn't feel right seeing the German line-up in anything but the pearly white of Madrid, and he's expected to extend his stay with Los Blancos.
6. Thiago
Current club: Liverpool
Age: 33
Position: Midfielder
The Spaniard wasn't a part of Liverpool's midfield exodus in the summer, but injuries continue to cripple Thiago's time at Anfield.
The midfielder has barely featured for the Reds this season and it appears unlikely that Liverpool will extend the technician's contract this summer, especially given his significant wages.
7. Adrien Rabiot
Current club: Juventus
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
Once frequently chastised by Juventini, Rabiot has slowly built up his reputation in Turin and 2022/23 was undoubtedly his best in Serie A.
The Frenchman has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United, but it's likely that Juve will seek to extend the midfielder's deal, especially as he continues to impress in 2023/24.
8. Marco Reus
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 34
Position: Midfielder
When you think of Dortmund, you instantly picture the masterful Marco Reus. Despite never being able to escape injuries over the course of his career, his time at Signal Iduna Park has been hugely successful.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to claim a first Bundesliga title with Dortmund last season, and it looks as if he may run out of time to win the Meisterschale with the side he's represented for over a decade.
9. Olivier Giroud
Current club: Milan
Age: 37
Position: Forward
Despite his advanced age, Olivier Giroud has shown few signs of slowing down in Serie A. The French striker continues to score on a frequent basis for Milan, his intelligence and technical quality making him unstoppable at his best.
Having helped the club to the Scudetto in 2022, Giroud is expected to end his stay in Italy at the end of the season in favour of MLS.
10. Anthony Martial
Current club: Man Utd
Age: 28
Position: Forward
It's fair to say that Anthony Martial's career hasn't quite gone to plan at Old Trafford, the often injured centre-forward struggling to make a significant impact on a consistent basis for Man Utd.
Given the Frenchman's fitness history and his often frustrating performances, it's no surprise that United won't be renewing his deal.
11. Thiago Silva
Current club: Chelsea
Age: 39
Position: Defender
Despite nearing 40, Silva remains an impressive performer for Chelsea in the Premier League - even if the Brazilian has endured a rather tumultuous campaign.
The Brazilian still has plenty to give at the elite level, but Silva will be moving on this summer having spent four successful years in west London.
12. Piotr Zielinski
Current club: Napoli
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
The Polish international is one of Serie A's most underrated stars, although his role in Napoli's Scudetto triumph last season saw him increase in popular prominence.
Nevertheless, Zielinksi came close to leaving Naples for the Saudi Pro League last summer before having a change of heart. The creative midfielder is expected to join champions Inter on a free transfer at the end of the season.
13. Mario Hermoso
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Age: 28
Position: Defender
Diego Simeone has to rebuild his backline this summer, and although Hermoso boasts a valuable profile, Atleti are yet to strike a deal with the Spaniard and it currently looks as if he'll be leaving the club on a free transfer.
Aston Villa, Napoli, Inter, and Barcelona are all reported with holding an interest in the versatile 28-year-old.
14. Joel Matip
Current club: Liverpool
Age: 32
Position: Defender
Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury means the defender might have played his final game for Liverpool in December.
Out of contract in the summer, Jurgen Klopp has previously hinted at Matip getting a new deal with Liverpool, but the club are likely to move in a different direction once Arne Slot arrives on Merseyside.
15. Guido Rodriguez
Current club: Real Betis
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
The Argentine international and World Cup winner has forged an impressive reputation in Seville, establishing himself as one of the best holding midfielders La Liga has to offer.
Real Betis are currently at risk of losing him for nothing in the summer as they're yet to strike a deal over a contract extension.
Barcelona are lurking as they attempt to secure a deal on the cheap.
16. Rafa
Current club: Benfica
Age: 30
Position: Forward
The spritely but savvy Benfica winger has been a model of consistency throughout his time in Lisbon, hitting double digits for goals and assists in every Primeira Liga season since 2018/19.
There have been discussions about an extension, but the parties involved are yet to reach an agreement with Benfica slightly hesitant to match Rafa's demands.
17. Alexis Sanchez
Current club: Inter
Age: 35
Position: Forward
The experienced Inter forward has struggled for game time this season, especially given he has had to compete with Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Thuram up top.
Sanchez is poised to leave the Nerazzurri following the conclusion of his current deal, with clubs from across the world set to make their move. The Chilean could remain in Serie A with Lazio or return to South America and join River Plate.
18. Yusuf Yazici
Current club: Lille
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Yazici, who won the Ligue 1 title with Lille in 2021, has drifted in and out of Paulo Fonseca's starting Xi this season. However, the versatile operator has continued to produce in the final third.
Yazici was particularly impressive during the club's Europa Conference League campaign, and it would be a surprise if Lille were to let him leave on a Bosman this summer.
19. Mehdi Taremi
Current club: Porto
Age: 31
Position: Forward
The Iranian forward thought he'd be leaving Porto last summer with just a year left on his deal, but a move to Milan never transpired.
Taremi, for now, remains on Porto's books but he'll be joining Milan's rivals, champions Inter, ahead of the 2024/25 season.
20. Mohamed Elneny
Current club: Arsenal
Age: 31
Position: Midfielder
The Egyptian has had his injury woes again this season, seldom featuring for the Gunners.
When available, Elneny has been a useful squad option, signing a contract extension with Arsenal in February 2023. However, he is unlikely to get a fresh deal at the Emirates.
21. Keylor Navas
Current club: PSG
Age: 37
Position: Goalkeeper
The Costa Rican has been Gianluigi Donnarumma's understudy ever since the Italian moved to Paris, having to settle for the odd cameo and a loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
However, his four-year spell in France appears to be coming to an end.
22. Leonardo Spinazzola
Current club: Roma
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Having announced himself to the rest of Europe during Euro 2020, the left-back has not enjoyed a fruitful time since the tournament.
Injuries have hampered his progress and he could become a free agent in the summer with Roma yet to strike a deal with the Italian.
23. Wilfred Ndidi
Current club: Leicester City
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Ndidi will return to the Premier League with Leicester next season should he decide to extend his stay at the King Power.
If a deal can't be struck with the Foxes, expect members of the top-flight to circle. Everton have already been linked with the Nigerian.
24. Michail Antonio
Current club: West Ham
Age: 34
Position: Forward
Michail Antonio has pretty much been West Ham's only centre-forward for the past few seasons, such relentless game time having taken its toll on the Jamaican international.
The forward has enjoyed a resurgent campaign in 2023/24, but the Hammers are reportedly happy to let him leave the club following the expiration of his contract.
25. Tosin Adarabioyo
Current club: Fulham
Age: 26
Position: Defender
After frequent links with a move away from Fulham during last summer's transfer window, Tosin Adarabioyo ended up sticking around at Craven Cottage.
However, that might change this summer as the centre-back's contract will expire with the London club, leaving him open to pursuing a move. Tottenham have been touted with interest in the 26-year-old as Ange Postecoglou looks to strengthen his backline.
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