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The summer transfer window may have shut its doors but there are still a number of big name footballers without a club and available to sign for on a free transfer.
The biggest names looking for new clubs include former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, ex-Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Jadon Sancho and Dani Carvajal.
Pogba, 33, was reported to have become a free agent after the French club Monaco terminated his contract last month, a year before it was due to expire. The French midfielder joined Monaco last summer after serving an 18-month doping ban but had made just six appearances due to a string of injuries.
Benzema, 38, also became available after terminating his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on August 31. The Ballon d’Or winner joined the club six months ago after three years with Al-Ittihad and had already made three appearances this season before his departure.
Benzema’s departure followed the revamp of Al-Hilal’s attacking options with the additions of Crysencio Summerville, Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli.
Another experienced player without a club is Mahrez, 35, after his contract with Al-Ahli was terminated. The former Manchester City winger moved to the Saudi side in 2023, where he netted 37 goals in 122 appearances across all competitions.
The Algeria international is set to remain in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Shabab reportedly close to landing his signature.
Sterling, 31, is also looking for a new club after being released by Feyenoord following a three-month spell in the Netherlands. The former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea winger played eight games before he departed the club.
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Sterling also has to return to court next month to face charges of dangerous driving following a smash in May.
Another notable free agent is 34-year-old former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian left boyhood club Vasco da Gama in February after claiming to be “tired mentally”.
Coutinho has made no retirement announcement and has attracted previous interest from Major League Soccer clubs.
Sancho, 26, is still without a club following a turbulent spell at Manchester United. The winger joined United from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for £73m but has been out on loan from the club for two and a half years.
His most recent loan spell was at Aston Villa after a disappointing spell at Chelsea. Sancho made only 30 Premier League appearances for United and Dortmund are said to be interested in re-signing him back to Germany.
Carvajal, 34, was without a club after his contract with Real Madrid expired in June. The experienced right-back spent 13 years at the Spanish giants and made 451 appearances in all competitions.
Carvajal has been training over the summer at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities alongside fellow free agent Joselu as he continues to weigh up his next move.
Vardy, 39, is another experienced striker on the market after leaving Cremonese after a season in Italy. The former Leicester City striker spent 13 years at Leicester before moving to Italy but Cremonese’s relegation to Serie B saw him leave.
The striker, who is weighing up a return to English football, has reportedly been linked with Sheffield Wednesday, Wrexham and West Ham.
Alaba, 34, left Real Madrid in May after five years with the Spanish giants. The ex-Bayern Munich defender was a wanted man in the summer with Manchester United previously among the favorites to sign him, but he is still without a club.
The Austrian enjoyed a hugely successful career at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, winning 12 league titles and four Champions League trophies.
Another veteran defender still available is Ramos, 40. The former Real Madrid and Spain captain has been a free agent since he left Mexican outfit Monterrey in December 2025.
Ramos is now 40 years old and has not announced his retirement, and is reportedly still convinced he can play at the top level. Earlier this year he was part of a consortium which attempted to buy a controlling stake in his former club Sevilla, but the bid failed.
The window for transfers has closed, but free agents can still talk to clubs because they have no contract to bind them.
Other Free Agents of Note
Jordan Ayew, 34, Previous club: Leicester City Dele Alli, 30, Previous club: Como Joselu, 36, Previous club: Al-Gharafa Anthony Martial, 30, Previous club: Monterrey Conor Coady, 33, Previous club: Wrexham Wilfried Zaha, 33, Previous club: Galatasaray James Rodriguez, 35, Previous club: Minnesota United Tyrell Malacia, 27, Previous club: Manchester United Oleksandr Zinchenko, 29, Previous club: Ajax Solly March, 32, Previous club: Brighton and Hove Albion Georginio Wijnaldum, 35, Previous club: Al-Ettifaq Yves Bissouma, 30, Previous club: Tottenham Hotspur
