With June now upon us, the opening of the transfer window is not far away, and with that comes the expiry of many contracts of players around Europe.
Some of the continent’s best performers this season are out of contract this summer and may well seek pastures new, while some have already agreed terms to move on.
Here, MSNEWS Sports looks at the 10 best free agents available this summer.
10. Wilfried Zaha
After nine seasons at Selhurst Park in a second spell at Crystal Palace, Wilfried Zaha now looks set to depart the club after nearly a decade of excellent service.
The Ivorian winger has been instrumental in Palace maintaining their status as a Premier League club, scoring 68 goals across those nine seasons, with the Eagles becoming mid-table regulars.
Despite a move to Manchester United not working out during the Red Devil’s very difficult 2013-14 campaign, clubs such as Arsenal and Everton have shown keen interest in recent years, and the former may do so once again with Champions League football to contend with next season.
It is testament to Zaha that he has stayed loyal to Palace for so long, never downing tools despite interest from higher-performing clubs, cementing his status as a club legend.
9. Adrien Rabiot
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After some headline transfer speculation last summer, Adrien Rabiot looks set to depart Juventus now after a fine individual season.
The French international has been one of the standout figures in what has been a nightmare season for the Bianconeri, who will miss out on Champions League qualification thanks to a 10-point deduction imposed on the club.
Rabiot looked likely to join Manchester United last summer until his agent and mother pulled the plug on a deal, but the Red Devils could make a swoop for the 28-year-old again with him becoming available on a free.
His aerial presence makes him a big threat from set pieces, and that has contributed to many of his 11 goals this season, with only Dusan Vlahovic netting more for the Old Lady this season.
8. Marcus Thuram
After a whirlwind year which saw him thrust onto the global stage for France at the World Cup, Marcus Thuram has continued his fine form in the second half of this season at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Having to fill in for the likes of Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku in France’s World Cup squad, Thuram came on in the first half of the final and set up Kylian Mbappe’s second goal, before Les Bleus ultimately lost on penalties.
At club level, Thuram has impressed during a very disappointing season for Gladbach, scoring 16 goals despite the Foals finishing down in 10th and exiting the DFB-Pokal early.
With his brother Khephren Thuram attracting major interest around Europe, Marcus may well too, being available on a free this summer.
7. Marco Asensio
A member of the illustrious Real Madrid winning machine, Marco Asensio may end his eight-year stay with Los Blancos this summer when his contract expires.
With three Champions League and three La Liga titles in his collection, it is safe to say Asensio has been there and done it all before, despite never really being a standout individual in a team full of superstars.
Asensio has been an extremely valuable member of the Real Madrid squad though, often featuring in over 30 league games per season, injuries aside.
The 27-year-old has netted 12 goals in both of his last two seasons despite having to battle for a starting spot with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, so offers great value on a free transfer for any suitors this summer.
6. Milan Skriniar
One player leaving on a free who has already decided on his next club is Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.
The Slovakian central defender will join Paris Saint-Germain this summer when his deal at San Siro expires after six impressive seasons with the Nerazzurri.
Being a staple at the back throughout his time at the club, Skriniar helped Inter to win the Scudetto under Antonio Conte in 2020, as well as the Coppa Italia last season.
However, since making his future move public, Simone Inzaghi has essentially banished Skriniar from the squad, and they have coped well despite his absence, reaching the Champions League final.
5. Roberto Firmino
One part of Liverpool’s often unstoppable front three for so many years, Roberto Firmino will depart Anfield this summer after an extremely successful eight seasons on Merseyside.
While Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane grabbed many headlines with their scoring exploits, Firmino was an equally-important cog in Jurgen Klopp’s system.
Often featuring as the central figure in attack, Firmino helped Liverpool to a first English title for 30 years, a sixth Champions League crown, and a domestic cup double in 2021-22.
Despite having to play second fiddle to Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, as well as dealing with injury problems, Firmino still hit double figures for the seventh time in eight seasons, netting 13 goals in all competitions during 2022-23.
4. Raphael Guerreiro
After the heartache of losing the Bundesliga title on the final day, more pain may be inflicted on Borussia Dortmund should Raphael Guerreiro opt to move on when his deal expires this summer.
The versatile Portuguese international was instrumental in their title challenge this season, registering a league-high 12 assists despite playing a lot of the season at left-back.
When Guerreiro was deployed in central midfield too, he offered a big goal threat, scoring a further six times for BVB this campaign.
Following his move from Lorient after bursting onto the scene as a European champion at Euro 2016, Guerreiro will have no shortage of clubs vying for his signature this summer after seven years at Signal Iduna Park.
3. N’Golo Kante
Following a dreadful season summed up by Chelsea’s scattergun approach in the transfer market, the Blues will be offloading a fair number of players this summer, and one may well be N’Golo Kante.
The French World Cup winner is out of contract at Stamford Bridge, and talks over a new deal have gone quiet as the season has progressed.
Kante has had his injury problems over the last four seasons, and he played just seven Premier League games all season, as Chelsea slumped to a 12th-placed finish.
When on the pitch though, there are few players who do a better job of cleaning up play and bringing energy to the midfield, so another big club is likely to take a chance on the 32-year-old despite his worrying injury record.
2. Ilkay Gundogan
After a trophy-laden seven-year spell with Manchester City, Ilkay Gundogan may well depart the club at the end of the season, with his contract at the Etihad up.
The German will be looking to lead City to a historic treble with the FA Cup and Champions League finals to come, after already sealing the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal.
Gundogan was a key figure towards the end of the league campaign to get City over the line, scoring back-to-back doubles against Leeds United and Everton, as well featuring in all of their knockout games in Europe.
There will likely be a long list of clubs in contact with Gundogan should he decide to move on, with Barcelona one of the sides linked with the 32-year-old.
1. Lionel Messi
It was a real global news story when Lionel Messi departed Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, but in truth, the transfer has not been much of a success.
Failing to bring a first Champions League title to Paris means the club will move Messi on, especially after his crowning moment of lifting the World Cup back in December.
Messi has still had a phenomenal season, especially for a 35-year-old, contributing to 41 goals across all competitions for PSG and playing a central role in Argentina’s World Cup success.
A fairytale return to Barcelona could be on the cards, but with their current financial difficulties, a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia could be the most likely outcome for Messi this summer.
