Elite free agents still without a club as January approaches | OneFootball

Bosman deals are the most sustainable strategic solution in times of a substantial financial crisis, allowing clubs to acquire free agents without the burden of transfer fees.

Unlike Premier League outfits, known for their lavish spending, clubs in other traditional top-five European leagues have often resorted to free agents to strengthen their squads while managing costs.

Some teams, such as Serie A champions Inter Milan, have adeptly used this strategy.

Beppe Marotta’s trained eye and unmatched negotiating skills have brought players such as Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram to the San Siro without spending a dime.

It’s a formula other elite clubs may want to copy-paste this winter.

With the January 2025 transfer window around the corner, top European clubs return to the market for the final touches to reinforce their squads and secure the missing pieces needed for the second half of the season.

What happened last summer?

Kylian Mbappe’s blockbuster switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid grabbed all the headlines.

The French superstar started his life in La Liga with a whimper rather than a bang, but he seems on course to settle in after a prolonged adaption period.

Per Carlo Ancelotti via Cope, Mbappe’s adaption period is ‘over,’ with the 26-year-old ready to take La Liga by storm following a stuttering start.

Mbappe’s countryman, Rafael Varane, wasn’t as lucky at his new club.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner left Manchester United by mutual consent to join Como in August, only to call time on his career a month later.

Varane wasn’t the only household name in European football to retire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Toni Kroos and Thiago Alcantara perhaps prematurely decided to wave goodbye to the beautiful game.

Speaking of French talents, Adrien Rabiot severed his five-year association with Juventus to return to his homeland with Olympique Marseille despite United’s advances.

Ex-United stalwart David de Gea returned between the sticks after a year-long hiatus from football, penning a short-term contract at Fiorentina.

Thiago Silva and Memphis Depay got tired of the high intensity in European football, finding refuge in South America with Fluminense and Corinthians, respectively.

Top free agents

Once considered among Europe’s brightest prospects, Dele Alli’s career hit rock bottom last summer when Everton refused to offer him a contract renewal at Goodison Park.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder could soon return to football. According to Sky Sport Italia, Alli has joined Serie A newcomers Como on a trial basis.

He has already completed several training sessions at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, although the Italians have yet to sign him.

The 28-year-old, who considered hanging up his boots in the summer, may not have had his final say.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about seasoned veterans such as Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, whose careers are nearing the unceremonious end.

Marcelo left his boyhood club, Fluminense, last month after falling out of favour with head coach Mano Menezes.

His ex-Madrid clubmate, Ramos, has been out of action since the end of last season as Sevilla refused to offer him fresh terms.

Recently courted by Argentine giants Boca Juniors, the 38-year-old could grace the sacred land of La Bombonera before announcing his retirement.

Keylor Navas, another former Los Blancos star, is also available on a Bosman deal following the expiration of his contract with PSG.

Wissam Ben Yedder, 34, is another high-profile ace unattached to any club.

Given his sterling scoring exploits at Monaco between 2019 and 2024, it’s a bit surprising he has failed to find a new destination after leaving the Stade Louis II.