Saturday, July 12

As transfer season gets into full swing, Sports Mole looks at some of the best free agents in summer 2025 and considers where they could be heading.

Another summer brings another frantic period of player trading, and many big-name stars have long been linked with a change of scenery. Naturally, most eye-catching of all are the deals that hit eight or even nine figures (i.e. Florian Wirtz), but players can also switch clubs by alternative means. Largely thanks to the Bosman ruling, they become free agents at the expiration of their contract, enabling them to sign for a new side without currency changing hands - albeit, they may receive a hefty signing-on fee. Most Premier League deals ran until 30 June, including that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was set to leave Liverpool as a free agent before Real Madrid's impatience saw cold, hard cash laid down. Like Bayern Munich new boy Jonathan Tah, the maverick full-back has already signed up for a fresh challenge, but who are the most coveted players still available? Here, Sports Mole looks at some of the best and considers where they could be heading.

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GOALKEEPERS

The pickings are pretty slim. As our list does not include players who had a club option to extend their expiring contract, Fiorentina's David de Gea cannot feature. The Spanish stopper has, in any case, agreed to extend his stay in Tuscany for up to three years. Another 'keeper to have spent several seasons in England, 40-year-old veteran Lukasz Fabianski can be considered: he has left West Ham United, stating his aim to stay in London for family reasons. That narrows the field for potential suitors. Meanwhile, clubs worldwide had an eye on Napoli number one Alex Meret, who contributed to Serie A's meanest defence as Antonio Conte's men dramatically sealed the Scudetto. The Italy international has just penned a fresh deal, though, so he is no longer available.

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DEFENDERS

Both involved in their clubs' respective runs to the Europa League final, two long-serving centre-backs have departed Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur this summer. After eight years at Old Trafford, Victor Lindelof is moving on, as injuries and a drop down the pecking order saw him start just six times in the league last term. Ben Davies spent 11 seasons with Spurs, but he could now be heading back to Wales, with cash-rich Championship newcomers Wrexham keen to take advantage of the 32-year-old's wealth of experience. Elsewhere on the free-agent list, it is a full-back bonanza, and several wide players could be on the move in the coming month. An erstwhile teammate of both Davies and Lindelof, Sergio Reguilon's ill-fated time at Tottenham has finally come to a close, following loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Man United and Brentford. While he could return to La Liga - former club Sevilla have already been linked - another ex-Spurs full-back is more likely to stay in the Premier League. Kyle Walker-Peters may have suffered as Southampton meekly exited England's top flight, but a number of mid-table sides should still hold an interest, alongside Besiktas. Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Nelson Semedo could not agree a fresh deal, despite an offer being made for renewal, and he is still considering his options amid interest from Galatasaray. Meanwhile, Real Betis have snared Leeds United's Junior Firpo, who let his contract run down and declined to stay in spite of the Whites' new Premier League status. Kenny Tete of Fulham had a one-year extension triggered last summer, but with Everton interested his future was up in the air 12 months on, before the Dutch right-back finally decided to stay. Former AC Milan captain Davide Calabria is still available, with Crystal Palace closely monitoring his situation.

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MIDFIELDERS

Ever since his Lille form - and impressive work with the Under-21s - earned Angel Gomes a senior England call-up, speculation has been rife about the featherweight playmaker's return to home shores. Many teams were linked - with West Ham, Spurs and former club Man United among them - but Marseille made their move. While Gomes is now off the market, United's outgoing squad man Christian Eriksen still has something to offer after leaving Old Trafford; having enjoyed a successful spell in Italy with Inter Milan, it is rumoured that Spain could be the Dane's next destination. There are more midfielders with an eye for goal available, and Atalanta BC's Mario Pasalic has been among them. However, the 30-year-old - who has played an underrated role in La Dea's growth since signing from Chelsea - is now set to sign renewed terms until 2027, with a club option for an extra year on top. Scorer of 18 goals last season, helping Burnley return to England's top tier, Josh Brownhill also offers a threat in the final third - both West Ham and Everton are poised to pounce if a new deal cannot be agreed. The latter's 2024-25 'Player of the Season', Idrissa Gueye, ultimately penned an extension, but Abdoulaye Doucoure has already confirmed his departure. Renowned for popping up in the opposition box, he memorably scored a vital goal as the Toffees avoided relegation at the very end of their 2022-23 campaign, but a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League could be on the cards. Of course, the most alluring free agent this year was surely Kevin De Bruyne, who left Manchester City as a bona fide club legend. Signed back in 2015 - and prematurely written off, by some, as an expensive ex-Chelsea flop - he ultimately made 422 appearances and became City's talisman, topping 40 goal involvements in their treble season. Initially expected to head Stateside for MLS, the pass master instead made a more romantic move to Napoli. The Partenopei's loquacious club president Aurelio De Laurentiis proudly welcomed De Bruyne to Naples, where his wife had been property shopping and former Belgium teammate Dries Mertens still has a home - a reunion with Romelu Lukaku also appealed.

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FORWARDS

Many free agents in the attacking category have reached veteran status, but Jonathan David should be coming into his prime. Like Gomes, the Canadian marksman has left Ligue 1 side Lille for new pastures. After scoring 25 goals in 49 games last term, David is finally on his way, with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle United and Napoli all missing out to Juventus. Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane recently changed agents and then turned down a deal extension, signalling his intent to move on. The wide man averaged one goal involvement every other game in Bavaria, but he has chosen to accept a lucrative offer from Istanbul giants Galatasaray. Luka Jovic has been around the block since bursting onto the scene in Germany before signing for Real Madrid, and his injury-hit stay with Milan has come to an end. Having shown some glimpses of his undoubted talent in recent months, the 27-year-old should still have several suitors - particularly without a transfer fee attached - and Mexican side Cruz Azul are leading the race. It has also been a while since Dominic Calvert-Lewin shone brightly at Everton, amid a plethora of fitness issues throughout his time on Merseyside, so he will now seek a new start. Elsewhere, there are fading stars seeking either one last pay day or a final shot at glory. Alexandre Lacazette (aged 34) left troubled Lyon for the second time, heading for ambitious Saudi club NEOM; Marko Arnautovic (36) has exited Inter again. Jamie Vardy (38), Callum Wilson (33) and Danny Ings (32) are all on the market too, but Lazio's evergreen winger Pedro (38) is set to stay in Rome. 

 

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