Ivan Larsen 
Only two months remain until the summer transfer window opens, and clubs are actively scrambling to add reinforcements or offload fringe players from their squads. First on the list of potential exits and signings are players running down their contracts with any extension.
The past windows were graced by some crazy free agents, including Lionel Messi, David de Gea, Lingard, and El Ghazi, and this window should be no different. European football might still be hot to your eyes, but it could be the best time to open your eyes to some of these gems in July.
The hottest free agents are great players seeking adventures from their old clubs. The stories behind their departure are nearly epic and worth being drafted by an online essay writing service and coming up with sets of research papers.
Kylian Mbappe
Football’s worst-kept secret remains Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid. President Fiorentino Perez has always muzzled speculations linking the French international and Barnabeu. However, it looks settled with PSG, and the forward is expected to leave on a free transfer.
Drama took the better part of the previous season when Mbappe was a free agent. This even pushed President Nasser Al-Khelaifi up his game by offering a bumper one-year contract extension to keep the suitors at bay. Alas, his days are already numbered at the Parc Des Princes.
These sentiments were shared by Coach Luis Enrique, who wants to live a post-MBappe life. A few tiffs on and off the pitch seemed quite brewing under, with the star substituted in the last home games. However, he was one of the standout performers in their semi-final clash against Barcelona, netting a penalty to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
Adrien Rabiot
The amount of ‘almost’ transfers involving Adrien Rabiot away from the Old Lady is fit enough to make a historical memoir. After five years, the French midfielder finally ended his contract with Juventus.
The former PSG man signed in 2019, with his initial contract expiring at the end of the previous season. However, Juve decided to offer a one-year deal extension. Any efforts to tie him again to another contract seemed to fail, and he looks set to leave the club.
Manchester United were heavily linked with Rabiot last summer. However, the deal fell, and the Red Devils chose Sofyan Amrabat. There’s a lot of interest in the Premier League, with Newcastle pushing for midfield reinforcements.
Toni Kroos
The 34-year-old midfielder has not yet expressed his position on the upcoming season with Real Madrid because his contract expires this summer. The German representative has maintained his current level this season, with one goal and seven assists in 41 games in all competitions.
It is now clear that only minor details remain a formality to extend the German’s relationship at the Bernabeu. A one-year contract seems very probable, particularly since the new head coach, Carles Ancelotti, has signed an agreement until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. The Italian coach supports the experienced midfielder because of his experience and ability to combine seamlessly with Luka Modric.
In addition, Kroos also featured in the impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester City, which ousted the Englishmen to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Therefore, even with young talents like Jude Bellingham. Tchouameni, or Camavinga, knocking on the central midfield spots is only a matter of time before the two sides reach an agreement.
Raphael Varane
Recent news indicated that the new board at Manchester United, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, decided against triggering an option to extend Varane’s contract for 12 months. This leaves the former Real Madrid star as a free agent heading into the summer.
The out-of-favour French International endured a cold spell for the Red Devils, with injuries tainting his career. The 30-year-old became a victim of the ruthless new leadership intent on a clean sweep of high earners from the club. Also, there were talks of a possible fallout with Coach Ten Hag that reduced his minutes to the bench.
Thiago Alcantara
After confirmation of Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool after seven years, Thiago is one of the first names set to join him in the dugout. The Spanish international suffered an injury-plagued season since his arrival on Meyerside from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020. He only has 98 appearances in total for Liverpool and one appearance so far this season as a substitute.
The 33-year-old looks poised for a switch to Saudi Arabia, but returning to Spain is another possibility. Liverpool aren’t set to test the waters again with him by offering a contract extension.
Jorginho
Last season saw Jorginho’s January move from Chelsea to Arsenal for a mere €12 million, raising many eyebrows. Even as they were after Moises Caicedo, it would be a huge surprise to see a player leave for a rival in the middle of a potential title race.
Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta has found great use for the 32-year-old, who brings the technical ability, experience, and leadership that Arsenal lacked through Granit Xhaka’s absence. He remains a regular in their starting lineup, especially in a Champions League run.
There’s still a cloud of uncertainty over his future with the contract running down in the summer. Many speculations suggest a possible return to Italy. Others feel a reward for his stellar performances will earn him another year at the Emirates.
Anthony Martial
It was in 2015 that the hottest prospect in football, Anthony Martial, signed for Manchester United, with the infamous Ballon D’or clause in his contract. Nine years later, it’s nothing but disappointment that the French international failed to meet the expectations.
An inexplicably long stay at Old Trafford was memorable and a grinding halt. With five different managers playing him, finding stability in the club was challenging. Ninety goals and fifty-five assists is what remains to look behind a lustrous career.
Jim Ratcliffe looks ready to make some big moves, with fringe players headed for the exit this summer. Martial is at the top of the list. Where that is a mystery for now, but there are signs of life from several Premier League outfits, namely Spurs, while a return to Lique 1 might not be entirely off the table.
Final Words
The summer transfer window seems exciting and unpredictable as some players are available for grabs if your side shells out €0. On the other hand, some players look sealed on their next move. We’d have to wait until the final days for the next career move. However, there are already some activities hotting up with these potential targets.
