The 2023 summer transfer window provides a chance for clubs to sign big-name players for free as they look to achieve their goals for the upcoming season.
More and more players decide to run down their contracts to have more options in the window and to try to increase their potential salary as a transfer fee would not need to be paid.
With many clubs still struggling with the economic ramifications from the pandemic, free transfers are more important than ever. Barcelona signed Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso for free last summer.
The Sporting News brings you the best players currently available for a free transfer in the upcoming summer window.
Players out of contract in the summer transfer window 2023
The following players are some of the big names who are out of contract this summer. They could choose to re-sign with their current teams, but most of them will choose to play for a new team.
Goalkeepers
David de Gea will leave Manchester United after the club opted against activating their extension clause on him with the veteran stopper not included on their retained list.
| Player | Age | Current Club | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| David de Gea | 32 | Manchester United | Undecided |
| David Soria | 30 | Getafe | Undecided |
| Inaki Pena | 24 | Barcelona | Renewal underway |
| Loris Karius | 29 | Newcastle United | Undecided |
| Guillermo Ochoa | 37 | Salernitana | Renewal underway |
Defenders
Milan Skriniar has agreed to join PSG in July, in a move which saw him stripped of the Inter captaincy. Evan Ndicka has also left Frankfurt to join Jose Mourinho's AS Roma on a five-year free transfer deal.
| Player | Age | Current Club | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan Skriniar | 28 | Inter | PSG |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | 27 | Benfica | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Caglar Soyuncu | 26 | Leicester | Undecided |
| Mats Hummels | 34 | Borussia Dortmund | Undecided |
| Daley Blind | 33 | Bayern Munich | Leaving |
Midfielders
Real Madrid midfield duo Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos have both signed contract extensions with Luka Modric also committing his immediate future to the club. Houssem Aouar and Daichi Kamada are both set to be on the move with N'Golo Kante joining Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad.
The biggest midfield free transfer move so far comes via Ilkay Gundogan opting to walk away from Manchester City, after captaining them to the treble in 2022/23, with the German international joining Barcelona.
After 7 years a wonderful time ends. You made me realize all my dreams. 🏆💯 I will carry you forever in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue! Thank you @ManCity! 💙🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/YLCrsJU0TG
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) June 26, 2023
| Player | Age | Current Club | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youri Tielemans | 25 | Leicester | Aston Villa |
| Luka Modric | 37 | Real Madrid | Undecided |
| Ilkay Gundogan | 32 | Man City | Barcelona |
| N'Golo Kante | 32 | Chelsea | Al Ittihad |
| Houssem Aouar | 24 | Lyon | AS Roma |
| Adrien Rabiot | 28 | Juventus | Club want him to stay |
| Daichi Kamada | 26 | Frankfurt | Leaving |
| James Rodriguez | 31 | N/A | Free agent |
| Isco | 31 | N/A | Free agent |
Forwards
Lionel Messi has agreed a move to MLS side Inter Miami as his PSG contract expires in June with former Real Madrid rival Karim Benzema joining Kante at Al Ittihad.
Roberto Firmino is on the market following his departure from Liverpool with other options available in the free transfer window including Marcus Thuram, Wilfried Zaha and Marco Asensio.
| Player | Age | Current Club | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 35 | PSG | Inter Miami |
| Marcus Thuram | 25 | Borussia Monchengladbach | Leaving |
| Wilfried Zaha | 30 | Crystal Palace | Undecided |
| Roberto Firmino | 31 | Liverpool | Leaving |
| Marco Asensio | 27 | Real Madrid | Leaving |
| Angel Di Maria | 35 | Juventus | Negotiations ongoing |
| Adama Traore | 27 | Wolves | Undecided |
| Reiss Nelson | 23 | Arsenal | Negotiations ongoing |
Top players still available on a free in the summer transfer window 2023
With a number of players already confirming their plans for the 2023/24 season those left available are heavily focused on forward roles.
The steady stream of stars accepting moves to Saudi Arabia has opened up an new option in the coming weeks as the build up to the new campaign continues.
Roberto Firmino
- Age: 31
- Position: Forward
- Rumoured destinations: Al Ahli, Atletico Madrid
Brazilian international Firmino attracted some early attention from Spain with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone looking for a budget option to bolster his attack.
However, widespread reports claim he is on the verge of accepting a move to Saudi team Al Ahli, as part of their push to sign more Premier League stars.
Marco Asensio
- Age: 27
- Position: Midfield/Forward
- Rumoured destinations: Arsenal, Aston Villa, PSG
Asensio confirmed his decision to leave Real Madrid after seven seasons in the Spanish capital and a host of major titles won. The Spanish winger had grown frustrated at a reduced role in Carlo Ancelotti's plans and he now moves on.
Unai Emery was linked with an offer, as part of his La Liga revolution at Aston Villa, with Mikel Arteta also considering him as a squad option at Arsenal.
However, Ligue 1 giants PSG look to be closing in on an agreement, to reunite Asensio with his former Spain boss Luis Enrique in Paris.