This Summer’s Top Free Agents XI!

Sead Kolasinac became Arsenal’s first summer signing, when he joined on a free transfer from Schalke 04 on Tuesday.

The versatile Bosnian defender could prove a bargain for the Gunners, but there’s plenty more stars available on a freebie this summer for penny-pinching clubs. Here’s an XI of players that can be signed this summer for the princely sum total of nothing…

Goalkeeper – Iker Casillas

The former Real Madrid star has spent the past two seasons at Porto, but has been linked with a move away when his contract expires later this month. Still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, at 36, the Spaniard has been mentioned as a possible recruit for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool this summer.

Right-Back – Bacary Sagna

Sagna’s former Manchester City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta wasted no time in signing for a new club, when he penned a two-year deal with West Ham upon his release by Pep Guardiola. Sagna should have no shortage of suitors either, with the French defender already linked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Southampton and newly-promoted Newcastle United.

Central Defender – John Terry

Terry ended his 22-year association with Chelsea with a now infamous substitution after 26 minutes against Sunderland. The 36-year-old has been linked with Premier League new boys Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and West Brom, while there have been whispers about an unlikely reunion with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Central Defender – Pepe

The bad boy defender confirmed today that he will leave Real Madrid after ten years with the European and La Liga champions. It’s been somewhat of an acrimonious split, with the Portuguese hitting out at the club’s offer of a one-year contract while he was angling for a two-year deal. He’s already stated that he’s received contract offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and from England.

Left-Back – Gael Clichy

Clichy’s another Man City stalwart shown the door by Guardiola, as he continues his re-building project at the Etihad. The former Arsenal defender has been mooted as a possible solution to Liverpool’s problems at left-back, and has also been linked to PSG & Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Right-wing – Rachid Ghezzal

With one Algerian winger – in the shape of Riyad Mahrez – apparently on the way out at Leicester City, the Foxes could so worse than consider the capture of his compatriot Rachid Ghezzal. The Lyon attacking midfielder has already attracted the interest of AC Milan, according to his agent brother, while Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton have all been linked with him in the past.

Central Midfielder – Miguel Veloso

The Portuguese midfielder has been linked with Manchester United in the past, but now 31, he may have to lower his expectations when his contract with Genoa expires in a few weeks. Perhaps an ideal candidate for a big-money move to China, the former Sporting star has also been linked with Southampton and Fiorentina.

Central Midfielder – Keisuke Honda

The Japanese midfielder’s spell at AC Milan will come to an end this summer, where he’s struggled to make the kind of impact he would have liked. The dead ball specialist is still only 30, and has the added benefit of his enduring appeal in his home country. Watford and Southampton were linked with a move earlier this year, with Valencia another possible destination for the former CSKA Moscow midfielder.

Left-wing – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

The German-born Cameroon international could follow Sead Kolasinac out of Schalke, where his contract expires this summer. The versatile attacker, who has spent his career in Germany, was reportedly a target for Southampton and Stoke City in the January window.

Striker – Mario Balotelli

The controversial Italian enjoyed a relatively successful season at Nice, following his nightmare spell at Liverpool. Agent Mino Raiola hinted today that his next stop could be a surprise move to Borussia Dortmund, who have appointed Peter Bosz as their new coach. His form in Ligue 1, where he scored 15 league goals, has also attracted the attention of Marseille.

Striker – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

It would be disappointing for Manchester United fans should their Swedish talisman’s final game for the club prove to be the Europa League Quarter-Final, where he picked up a knee injury that ended his season. Some critics have suggested his presence has stymied the development of younger players at the club, but he will have no shortage of interested parties should his time at Old Trafford come to an end in the coming months. A move to the MLS with LA Galaxy is he most likely alternative destination, with United set to publish their list of retained and released players next week.