Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are among the free agents after the transfer window closed – BBC News Arabic
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The summer transfer window has closed, but there are still plenty of talented players without clubs who can be signed for free.
BBC Sport takes a look at the top stars who are currently out of contract and available to join new clubs.
Paul Pogba, 33 (last club: Monaco)
Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba has played a very limited number of matches since his 18-month doping ban ends in March 2025.
The Frenchman made just six appearances for Monaco last summer before the French club canceled his contract last month, a year before it was due to expire, following a series of injuries.
Karim Benzema, 38 years old (last club: Al Hilal)
French striker Benzema has been playing in Saudi Arabia since leaving Real Madrid in 2023, having spent three years at Al Ittihad. But the Ballon d’Or winner had his contract terminated just six months after joining Al Hilal.
The arrival of attacking trio Crescencio Summerville, Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli may have led to Benzema’s departure from the team’s accounts. Although he has already made three appearances for Al Hilal this season, his contract was terminated on August 31.
Riyad Mahrez, 35 years old (last club: Al-Ahly)
Mahrez is another player whose contract has been terminated in the Saudi professional league.
The Algerian winger, a five-time English Premier League winner, joined Al-Ahly in 2023 from Manchester City and has scored 37 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions.
According to reports, he will remain in the Saudi league and is close to a move to Al-Shabaab.
Raheem Sterling, 31 (last club: Feyenoord)
Sterling was sacked by Feyenoord after just three months, during which he made eight appearances, and he is due to appear in court next month charged with dangerous driving after his car crashed into motorway barriers in May.
Sources have told BBC Sport that the former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea winger has had a “very difficult couple of years”.
Philippe Coutinho, 34 years old (last club: Vasco da Gama)
Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Coutinho left boyhood club Vasco da Gama in February, saying he was “mentally exhausted”.
The Brazilian has not officially announced his retirement and has previously been linked with a move to the American Football League.
Jadon Sancho, 26 (Last Club: Manchester United)
Sancho has had a turbulent year in his £73million move to United from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 and has spent the last two-and-a-half years on loan at other clubs, most recently at Aston Villa and Chelsea after disappointing spells.
Sancho made just 30 Premier League appearances for United but has reportedly agreed a move to Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Dani Carvajal, 34 (last club: Real Madrid)
Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs of his generation, Carvajal is a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expired in June.
Carvajal made 451 appearances in all competitions during his 13-year spell with Real and his name was not linked to any new club.
He has been reported to have been training at Spanish FA facilities over the summer with compatriot Joselu, who is also unaffiliated with any club.
Jamie Vardy, 39 (last club: Cremona)
Vardy spent last season with Cremonese after 13 years at Leicester City, but the team’s relegation to Serie B forced the club to offload the striker.
His name has been strongly linked with a return to the English Football League competition, with Wrexham, Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham all interested in signing him.
David Alaba, 34 years old (last club: Real Madrid)
Veteran defender Alaba left Real Madrid in May after five years at the club and Manchester United were the bookies’ most likely candidates to sign the Austrian this summer.
The former Bayern Munich star had an eventful career at club level, during which he won 12 league titles and four Champions League titles.
Alaba has yet to sign with any club, despite being the subject of interest from several clubs as his Real Madrid contract expires.
Sergio Ramos, 40 (last club: Monterrey)
Legendary Spanish defender Ramos has not been linked with any club since December 2025, after leaving Mexican club Monterrey.
Despite turning 40, he has not announced his retirement, although some reports suggest he still believes he is fit enough to compete at the highest level.
Earlier this year he led a consortium that tried to acquire a controlling stake in his former club Sevilla, but the bid failed.
Who are the other players for free?
- Jordan Ayew, 34 (last club: Leicester City)
- Dele Alli, 30 (last club: Como)
- Joselu, 36 years old (last club: Al Gharafa)
- Anthony Martial, 30 years old (last club: Monterrey)
- Conor Coady, 33 (last club: Wrexham)
- Wilfried Zaha, 33 (last club: Galatasaray)
- James Rodriguez, 35 (last club: Minnesota United)
- Terrell Malacia, 27 (last club: Manchester United)
- Alexander Zinchenko, 29 years old (last club: Ajax)
- Solly Marsh, 32 (last club: Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Georginio Wijnaldum, 35 years old (last club: Al-Etifaq)
- Yves Bissuma, 30 years old (last club: Tottenham)