The summer transfer window might be closed but there are still plenty of big name footballers without a club and available to sign on a free transfer.
Among the biggest names looking for new clubs are former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, ex-Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Jadon Sancho and Dani Carvajal.
Pogba, 33, was said to have become a free agent after his contract with French club Monaco was terminated 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 only six appearances due to a string of injuries.
Benzema, 38, was also free after parting ways with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal on August 31. The Ballon d’Or winner arrived at the club six months ago after three years with Al-Ittihad, and had already played three times this season before his exit.
Benzema’s departure came after Al-Hilal overhauled their 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 ended. In the 2023, the former Manchester City winger joined the Saudi side where he scored 37 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions.
The Algeria international is expected to stay in Saudi Arabia and Al-Shabab are said to be close to securing his signature.
Sterling, 31, is also seeking 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 leaving the club.
Sterling will also have to go back to court next month to face dangerous driving charges following a smash in May.
Another marquee free agent is 34-year-old Philippe Coutinho, a former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder. The Brazilian left boyhood club Vasco da Gama in February, claiming to be “tired mentally”.
Coutinho has not announced his retirement and attracted interest from Major League Soccer clubs in the past.
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Sancho, 26, is still without a club following a turbulent time 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 latest loan was at Aston Villa after a disappointing spell at Chelsea. Sancho made just 30 Premier League appearances for United and Dortmund are reportedly keen to re-sign him back in Germany.
Carvajal, 34, was a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Real Madrid in June. The veteran full-back spent 13 years with the Spanish giants and made 451 appearances in all competitions.
Carvajal has spent the summer training at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities with fellow free agent Joselu as he continues to consider his next move.
Vardy, 39, is also an 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 was released following Cremonese’s relegation to Serie B.
The forward, who is considering a return to English football, has reportedly been linked with Sheffield Wednesday, Wrexham and West Ham.
Alaba, 34, departed Real Madrid in May after five years with the Spanish giants. The former Bayern Munich defender was in demand during the summer, with Manchester United among the front-runners to sign him, but he is still a free agent.
The Austrian had a hugely successful career at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, winning 12 league titles and four Champions League trophies.
Ramos, 40, is another veteran defender still on the market. The former Real Madrid and Spain captain has been a free agent since his departure from Mexican outfit Monterrey in December 2025.
Ramos, who is now 40 and has not announced his retirement, is reportedly still convinced he can play at the top level. Earlier this year he was part of a consortium which tried to buy a controlling stake in his former club Sevilla, but the bid failed.
The transfer window may have closed, but free agents are still able to talk to clubs because they have no contract tying them down.
Other Free Agents of Note
Previous club: Leicester City, 34 – Jordan Ayew Previous club: Como, 30 – Dele Alli Previous club: Al-Gharafa, 36 – Joselu Previous club: Monterrey, 30 – Anthony Martial Previous club: Wrexham, 33 – Conor Coady Previous club: Galatasaray, 33 – Wilfried Zaha Previous club: Minnesota United, 35 – James Rodriguez Previous club: Manchester United, 27 – Tyrell Malacia Previous club: Ajax, 29 – Oleksandr Zinchenko Previous club: Brighton and Hove Albion, 32 – Solly March Previous club: Al-Ettifaq, 35 – Georginio Wijnaldum Previous club: Tottenham Hotspur, 30 – Yves Bissouma
