Transfers

Sturridge, Mandzukic, and other top free agents without a club

The transfer window may be closed until January, but there is still the prospect of some players being brought in...

 
3:00pm on Thursday 8th October 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

After a deadline day which saw Edinson Cavani join Manchester United, Thomas Partey join Arsenal, and Federico Chiesa join Juventus, the transfer window shut on Monday evening for clubs around Europe.

However, should they have the desire to dip into the free agent market, there are some potentially cracking deals that could be pulled off.

Best football free agents in Europe

Mario Mandzukic

Mandzukic last played for Al-Duhail before his contract was mutually terminated. He may be 34-years-old now, but could certainly still do a job for someone at a top European league.

Linked with: Fenerbahce, Beşiktax, Lokomotiv Moscow, Inter, Benevento, Hellas Verona, Fiorentina.

Jack Wilshere

Wilshere claims that he has been injury free for the last eight months, yet he was largely left on the subs bench by West Ham during that time. The arrival of Tomas Soucek and the continued improvement of Declan Rice didn't do him any favours.

Linked with: Rangers

Daniel Sturridge

The fact remains that if Daniel Sturridge could stay fit he would still be playing in the Premier League. However, with him missing so many games, and commanding what would likely be a huge wage, he remains on the free agent list after leaving Trabzonspor.

Linked with: Sheffield Utd, Stoke

Nathaniel Clyne

Unfortunately for Clyne, injuries ravaged his career after the transfer to Liverpool, while the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold led to him slipping down the pecking order at the right-back spot even when he was fit again. He has been training with Crystal Palace and could be given a deal.

Linked with: Crystal Palace

Danny Welbeck

Welbeck was released by Watford by mutual consent this week, with the club struggling to pay his reported £100k per week salary. The problem with Welbeck is that he is on huge money, yet is injured more often than not.

Linked with: Brighton, Leeds, Rangers, West Ham

Samir Nasri

It seems like Nasri has been around forever but he is still only 33. He last played for Anderlecht as former team-mate turned Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany attempted to rejuvenate his career. It didn't work.

Linked with: Lazio

Alexandre Pato

Remarkably, Pato is still only 31-years-old, but playing for for seven clubs in your career doesn't scream consistency. There is definitely still a player in there, but will anyone take a punt on him?

Linked with: Spezia, Internacional, Besiktas

Ezequiel Garay

Garay was a victim of the Valencia firesale over the summer as the club wished to get rid of any high earners. However, his situation is more complicated as he is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury suffered in February. If he does sign for someone, it won't be for a while.

Linked with: Real Sociedad

Shinji Kagawa

At just 31-years-old, Kagawa still has plenty of gas left in the tank and could be useful for a team looking for someone to perhaps unlock an opposition defence off the bench.

Linked with: The J-League

Alen Halilovic

Once dubbed 'the next big thing' after signing for Barcelona as a teenager, Halilovic is now a free agent after being released by Milan. Still just 24, he has the chance to kickstart his career somewhere else, but the next move could prove crucial for him.

Linked with: Dinamo Zagreb

Other notable free agents: Kwadwo Asamoah, Fabio Borini, Giannelli Imbula, Gael Clichy, Yohan Cabaye, Kevin Stoger, Oumar Niasse, Pajtim Kasami, Charlie Daniels, Seydou Doumbia, Andy King

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