8 Free Agents to look out for this Summer

That time has came again. Rumours spur around as Fabrizio Romano’s twitter page becomes the Bible of footballing transfers. As the clubs look to strengthen their squads, offloading dead weight is a crucial part of the process. With many players contracts petering out, who are the one’s an extra eye should be kept on?

8) Jesse Lingard

After twenty years at the red devils it is perhaps a dissapointment that it ended on a sour note. Lingard’s brother slammed “classless” Manchester United for their send off, or lack off in this case. In an Instagram post he proclaimed “Been there since nine years of age and didn’t even get a send off!!! Well done bro your family are proud.” On the other hand though, it’s fair to say that a legend status is hardly merited for the Englishman, any suggestion of a testimonial would be completely unfound (not that his brother suggested this.) In 232 appearances the midfielder managed 35 goals, plus it must be mentioned a great amount came from the bench. When you have spent your full career at the Old Trafford side you get it far from easy, as it is a club which has high demands from the fan base week in, week out. A change of surroundings in 2020/21 happened for Lingard as he took his stocks to West Ham for six months. A successful period it proved to be as he provided a goal contribution every 106 minutes on average, a stat which is for very good reading. The rumours seem to be leading him back to East London and with European group-stage football it would be a thrilling prospect.

7) Angel Di Maria

Remember this guy? The Argentine is no longer at the top of PSG’s priority lists and offloading him now looks ever the more likely. A bit of bitterness has crept in as well as Di Maria publicly slammed the Qatar owned club saying he felt a sense of “betrayal”. Di Maria enjoyed a successful career scoring 91 goals for the Paris giants plus playing a part in many big nights on the Champions league front. With a firing front three of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar though he has found himself falling down the pecking order and now finds himself searching for another club. Rumours about a move to Juventus have been dismissed and it looks as though a move to Barcelona looks more likely.

6) Paulo Dybala

Juventus haven’t enjoyed the most successful campaigns in recent times and have lost grip on the never ending dominance they once possessed. While Serie A titles were once a forgone conclusion its now two
campaigns without silverware for the “the old lady” and a major rebuild is on the cards. Surprisingly Paulo Dybala is
set to leave on the free after seven years at the club . It was an emotional departure as he was reduced to tears in his final game at the Allianz. The Argentine is Juve’s
top Serie A scorer and averages a pass accuracy of over 84%. They’re not just
side ways passes though from a holding midfielder, penetrating usually as he
averages 1.4 key passes a match. This leaves a gap to fill as players like this don’t grow on trees. A move to London is rumoured with both Arsenal and Tottenham plotting a swoop. Dybala, nearly joined Tottenham previously as he revealed. Will now become the time? Under Conte he could really flourish and develop, at the age of 28 he has a few years left anyway.

5) Gareth Bale

Once one of the hottest assets, now one of the coldest afterthoughts. Gareth Bale will finally move on from Real Madrid this year as his wasted spell comes to an end. Filled to the brim with talent it’s a sad “what could’ve been story”. The Welshman showed signs a Tottenham that he could’ve been one of the worlds best and was closing in on the elite group. A big money move to Real Madrid occurred and his career looked as though it was only heading up. The golf course seemed to take over though. Positive times such as THAT bicycle kick against Liverpool have been few and far between and a relationship which was filled with so much optimism turned so sour with the Bernabeu faithful. On a handsome wage of around £600,000 a week its hardly a surprise that he wouldn’t budge. A brief spell at Tottenham under Mourinho was positive and its fair to say he is still his national team’s talisman. A move back to Spurs could be on the cards, although you wonder how his personality will clash with Conte ?

4) Ousmane Dembele

Once hot property at Borussia Dortmund, Dembele made a move to Barcelona worth over £100 million. The potential which was slapped on that price would prove to be a heavy burden and you do wonder whether it was ever repaid? For example, in just one of the last three seasons the Frenchman has scored over one La Liga goal. Although this season thirteen assists make for a slightly better reading. Since Xavi has taken over Dembele has looked a good fit for his 4-3-3 system which asks wingers to remain in very wide positions to stretch the pitch. It’s not off the tables that he signs a contract extension although with the financial mess that Barcelona find themselves in no one really knows the logistics. With the bizarre position that PSG are in where Mbappe is effectively head recruiter, the rumours are that he is trying to Swap Neymar for Dembele. What a story that would be, as much as its unlikely one thing football has recently proved is you cannot anything.

3) A Romagnoli

A now Serie A winner after Ac Milan’s historic first title in eleven years, Romagnoli can feel as though he has had a solid football career. Yet, with his contract running out quickly a move to Stamford Bridge looks likely. As Christensen and Rudiger leave the London side Romagnoli would be a perfect replacement. Being part of a ball playing back-three should be a breeze for the Italian as he had a 85.5% pass completion in the Serie A this season, in a back four as well. His next step in his career seems planned out for him at Chelsea although it doesn’t come without competition. According to a Spanish report Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Sevilla have shown keen interest as well. Either way, whoever gets their hands on the Italian will have found a bargain.

2) Paul Pogba

Graham Sounes’s best pal Paul Pogba is heading to the door after a underwhelming spell at Old Trafford. A record breaking transfer of over £85 million has hardly lived up. It’s not entirely his fault as in recent times the whole Manchester United side have been completely lacklustre and showed a lack of quality and desire. At times it has been flashy however a fragile relationship with Mourinho and a general lack of fitness meant it never really got going. Every season it was a case of “well it could be this time”. Yet never was it the time in reality. According to the Daily Express a move back to Juventus is likely as the Frenchman may become a straight swap for Paulo Dybala. This would be an intriguing move and certainly one worth keeping an eye on.

1) Antonio Rudiger

One of the players of the season, Rudiger is escaping the current mess Chelsea find themselves in. Falling over the line to a third place finish Rudiger was a major influence in that not only at the back but in the attacking goal as well. The German has quality all over him and a move to either home-land Germany with Bayern Munich or Spanish Giants Real Madrid looks more likely by the hour. It’s a real loss for Chelsea, although football is a cruel game. They may have just let one of the worlds best slip through their fingers.

(Image Credit:

8) Pixaby

1-7) Wikkimedia Commons

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