Benzema, Pogba, Sancho and more: the biggest free agents and where they could move next

The transfer window in Europe’s leading leagues has already closed, but the market still features a Ballon d’Or winner, World Cup champions, multiple Champions League winners and stars who are not even 30 yet. We take a look at the top 20 free agents and assess the most realistic options for the next stage of their careers.

The 2026 summer transfer window has closed in most of Europe’s leading leagues, but that does not mean clubs have finished strengthening their squads. Free agents can still sign contracts, although their ability to be registered depends on the rules of each individual league and the availability of places in the squad.

As of the morning of September 3, plenty of other well-known names remain on the market. We have ranked them based on a combination of status, profile and the potential impact of their next transfer.

1. Karim Benzema

The biggest name of them all. Benzema only officially terminated his contract with Al-Hilal by mutual consent on August 31. His spell in Riyadh was short but not unsuccessful: 10 goals and five assists in 16 matches. At 38, the Frenchman is not planning to retire yet and already has offers on the table.

There are two main scenarios. The first is to remain in Saudi Arabia: Al-Shabab has been mentioned among the options, while a possible return to Al-Ittihad has also been discussed, although shortly before his departure from Al-Hilal, AS reported that Benzema himself was not interested in returning to Jeddah.

The second scenario looks even more intriguing — MLS. Marca described the United States as the most attractive destination for the Frenchman and highlighted Atlanta United, Sporting Kansas City, Charlotte and Austin among the clubs that could theoretically fit the superstar into their salary structure.

Most likely: MLS or another contract in Saudi Arabia. A return to Europe looks considerably less realistic for Benzema.

2. Paul Pogba

Another World Cup winner whose career has reached a crossroads. Monaco and Pogba ended their cooperation early on August 19 after the Frenchman suffered an injury in training. His return to top-level football after his suspension did not work out: further fitness problems restricted him to just six Ligue 1 appearances and 115 minutes on the pitch in total.

Therefore, any club that signs the 33-year-old Pogba would not so much be acquiring a ready-made midfield leader as a potentially exceptional player with a huge question mark over his physical condition.

The most concrete destination is MLS. D.C. United holds Pogba’s so-called discovery rights, giving the club a priority position within the league when it comes to negotiations with him. New York City FC, LAFC and Montreal have also been linked with the Frenchman.

Most likely: MLS. It is difficult to imagine Pogba still being able to cope with regular football at Europe’s top clubs.

3. Jadon Sancho

Perhaps the most surprising free agent on this list. Sancho is only 26 — an age at which a footballer should theoretically be at his peak. But after his contract with Manchester United expired, the Englishman still failed to find a new club.

The most intriguing scenario is a third spell at Borussia Dortmund. It was there that Sancho played the best football of his career, and ahead of the deadline it was reported that Dortmund were considering offering him a contract with a salary heavily linked to bonuses.

After the window closed, Roma also continued to explore the free-agent market, and Sancho is one of the most prominent available wingers. A move to Dubai has also emerged as another option.

However, recent reports have suggested that Jadon is very close to joining Brazilian side Palmeiras. He is reportedly expected to fly to Brazil soon to sign the contract.

Most likely: Borussia Dortmund looks like the most natural footballing option, while Roma is the most intriguing alternative, but the unexpected Palmeiras move now appears to be the most realistic.

4. Sergio Ramos

Ramos is already 40, but he has still not officially announced his retirement. After leaving Monterrey, the Spaniard continues to train individually and maintain his fitness, leaving the door open for one more contract.

However, the question now is not whether a club would be willing to sign such a legendary player, but whether the offer would be attractive enough for Ramos himself.

At the same time, the defender has begun seriously considering a coaching career and plans to obtain the necessary qualifications.

It would be difficult to find a project in Europe appropriate to his stature. For one more season, the most logical option would appear to be a wealthy Middle Eastern club or another league willing to make Ramos the central figure of its project.

Most likely: one more short-term contract outside Europe’s top five leagues or retirement.

5. Raheem Sterling

Sterling’s career decline is one of the saddest stories of the past decade. In February, he attempted to relaunch himself at Feyenoord, but his short-term contract ended along with the season, leaving the 31-year-old winger without a team once again.

The situation is further complicated by an upcoming court case following a car incident in May. Sterling has been charged with offences including dangerous driving.

Unlike Benzema, Pogba or Mahrez, there is currently no obvious favourite to sign Sterling. His name and experience could still appeal to a Premier League club urgently in need of an attacking player, but his wage expectations and performances over the past few seasons make such a transfer difficult.

Most likely: a short-term contract on significantly reduced financial terms or a move outside Europe’s elite. There is currently no clear favourite.

6. Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez’s situation is considerably clearer. The 35-year-old Algerian has completed a three-year spell at Al-Ahli, for whom he made 122 appearances and scored 37 goals.

And it appears he will not have to travel far. Al-Shabab has been the club most frequently mentioned in recent days: negotiations have progressed significantly, although the deal has been delayed by squad and registration issues.

There have also been reports of contacts with Turkish clubs, although such a move would be considerably more unexpected.

Most likely: Al-Shabab. Of all the star free agents, Mahrez is one of those whose next club could be decided the quickest.

7. Mauro Icardi

Icardi left Galatasaray after a highly productive spell and remains one of the few free-agent strikers who can realistically still be expected to deliver strong performances at a good European level.

Lazio worked seriously on signing him. The striker’s agent confirmed negotiations, but the player’s camp decided not to rush and instead wait for the best possible project.

Fresh reports from Italy now describe the Rome option as one that was not accepted and name Betis as another contender.

That is an important detail: at 33, Icardi still appears to be prioritising the sporting project rather than simply the biggest salary.

Most likely: Betis or another Serie A/La Liga club. Lazio should not yet be completely ruled out, but they no longer look like the clear favourite.

8. David Alaba

After five years at Real Madrid, 131 appearances and 11 trophies, Alaba left the Spanish capital. The Austrian’s main problem is obvious: not his quality, but his health. Serious knee injuries have significantly reduced his playing time in recent years.

At the beginning of August, interest from Milan and Inter Miami was reported. However, no deal with the Italian club materialised before the deadline. More recent information lists MLS and a return to Germany among the possible destinations.

At 34, Alaba could still be very useful as a centre-back, left-back or midfielder, but only if a club receives sufficient medical assurances.

Most likely: MLS. A return to the Bundesliga would make sense, but the American option may be better suited to the current stage of his career.

9. Dani Carvajal

Another Real Madrid legend on the market. Carvajal left the Spanish giants after 450 appearances and 27 trophies, including six European Cups/Champions League titles.

During the summer, he received offers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, MLS and Europe, but the defender’s initial priority was to continue playing European football. Inter were named among the most interested clubs.

But September has already arrived, and the 34-year-old Carvajal remains without a team. That changes the situation. Moves to Saudi Arabia or Qatar now look fairly realistic.

Most likely: Saudi Arabia or Qatar, unless a European project that Carvajal considers sufficiently ambitious emerges after the deadline.

10. Oleksandr Zinchenko

The Ukrainian was left without a contract after an unsuccessful attempt to relaunch his career at Ajax.

A serious knee injury restricted him to only around 25 minutes for the Amsterdam club, after which he effectively missed the rest of the season.

In recent weeks, Zinchenko has been using Arsenal’s facilities while working on his recovery, but this situation has nothing to do with the next stage of Oleksandr’s career.

Roma, however, looks like an intriguing option after the deadline. The Italian club has not ruled out working in the free-agent market, and Zinchenko’s ability to play both on the left and in central midfield logically places him among the potential options.

Most likely: first a full recovery, followed by a short-term contract or a deal heavily dependent on bonuses in Europe. Roma looks interesting.

11. Philippe Coutinho

In February, Coutinho left his boyhood club Vasco da Gama ahead of schedule, explaining his decision by mental exhaustion. The 34-year-old Brazilian has not signed another contract since.

There were previously options in MLS and Mexico, while offers from the Mexican league were reported during the spring.

Meanwhile, August rumours about São Paulo were denied by the club’s management, which made it clear that Coutinho’s financial demands were too high for them.

At the beginning of September, there are no advanced public negotiations with any particular club.

Most likely: Brazil, Mexico or MLS if Coutinho is ready to return to regular football. A longer break would not be a surprise either.

12. James Rodríguez

James left Minnesota after a short spell in the United States and is once again looking for a club at the age of 35.

The most important factor here is his own preference: according to recent reports, the Colombian has rejected opportunities in the United States, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia because he wants to play in Europe again.

That immediately makes Turkey particularly interesting, where the market did not close at the same time as the top five European leagues. Colombian sources report that James is assessing offers from Turkish clubs.

For Rodríguez himself, this could be his final realistic opportunity to return to a European club where he would receive significant playing time.

Most likely: Turkey. At the moment, it is the most logical destination given James’ desire to remain part of the European football landscape.

13. Jamie Vardy

At 39, Vardy is in no hurry to retire after a season in Italy.

The biggest story in England involves Wrexham, who genuinely enquired about the possibility of signing the Leicester legend. West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday and São Paulo have also been mentioned.

But the situation is changing quickly. On September 2, reports emerged that Vardy was leaning towards rejecting Wrexham and considering several options in MLS and Serie A.

That is why a move to the Welsh club, despite all its media potential, cannot be described as inevitable.

Most likely: another season in Serie A or a move to MLS. Wrexham remains the most concrete British contender.

14. Marcelo Brozović

One of the most interesting free agents purely from a footballing perspective. After his contract with Al-Nassr expired, the 33-year-old Brozović received a genuine opportunity to return to Serie A.

Fiorentina have already offered the Croatian a two-year contract worth around €2.5 million per season. The player did not accept the initial terms, but his representatives made a counter-offer, meaning negotiations are still ongoing.

At the same time, Al-Ittihad are reportedly prepared to pay around €10 million per year.

One important detail is that Brozović himself is open to returning to Serie A.

Most likely: Fiorentina, if the sides can reach a compromise over salary. Al-Ittihad is clearly the stronger financial option.

15. Wilfried Zaha

After his loan spell with Charlotte ended, Zaha became a free agent again. His time in the United States was not unsuccessful — 13 goals and 14 assists in 46 matches.

During the summer, he trained at Crystal Palace’s facilities, immediately sparking rumours of yet another return to the club with which most of his career is associated.

However, Palace made it clear that a return was not being planned. At the same time, cautious interest from Spain was reported.

An even more intriguing option is Roma: after failing to sign a winger, the Italian club is looking at the free-agent market, where Zaha is one of the obvious candidates.

Most likely: Roma or Spain. A return to Crystal Palace currently looks unlikely.

16. Anthony Martial

Martial left Monterrey and, at the age of 30, wants to return to the Premier League.

His representatives have already made several English clubs aware of his availability: Everton, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Newcastle, Sunderland and Tottenham.

But there is a fundamental difference between “a player being offered to a club” and “a club holding negotiations.” There are currently no grounds to suggest that any of these seven clubs is already close to agreeing a contract.

Martial will have to significantly adjust his financial expectations. The latest stages of his career do not justify demanding a high-profile salary based on his name alone.

Most likely: a return to England on a relatively short-term contract if a club is willing to take the risk. There is currently no clear favourite.

17. Raphaël Guerreiro

Guerreiro has quietly become one of the most practical options on the entire market. The Portuguese left Bayern Munich after his contract expired, but his versatility remains: he can play at left-back, wing-back, central midfield and even further forward.

That is precisely why Guerreiro’s name is now regularly being linked with Roma. The Italian club is prepared to assess free agents, while the left flank remains one of the positions that could be strengthened.

Most likely: Roma. In terms of experience, versatility and potential role, this is one of the most logical player-club matches on the entire list.

18. Yves Bissouma

After his contract with Tottenham expired, the 30-year-old Bissouma became a free agent with 111 appearances for the London club behind him.

The most intriguing link is Fulham. The club allowed him to use its facilities to maintain his fitness, naturally sparking speculation about a permanent contract.

Interest from Brighton, Valencia, Celta and Turkish clubs had also previously been reported.

Most likely: Fulham. Geographically, football-wise and considering the contact that has already been established, it is the most natural option.

19. Renato Sanches

PSG terminated the Euro 2016 star’s contract effectively on deadline day, despite the deal having been due to run until 2027.

After a series of loan spells at Roma, Benfica and Panathinaikos, the Parisian club finally brought the project to an end.

The Portuguese midfielder is only 29, but his career has been affected by recurring injuries for many years.

Interestingly, Sanches reportedly did not want to move to Saudi Arabia, Brazil or MLS because Europe remains his priority.

Lille considered bringing him back, but his financial demands became an obstacle. Union Berlin, meanwhile, have been named as one of the specific clubs interested in the midfielder.

Most likely: Union Berlin or another Bundesliga/top-five league club prepared to structure a contract around bonuses and the number of appearances.

20. Joselu

The former Real Madrid striker ended his spell with Qatari side Al-Gharafa at the age of 36 and has also entered the free-agent market.

Towards the end of the window, a possible return to Eintracht Frankfurt, where the Spaniard previously played in the 2013/14 season, was discussed particularly intensively.

Union Berlin, Lazio and a return to Spain were also mentioned.

However, the Eintracht option quickly cooled: after the initial rumours emerged, German sources reported that the club had not been considering the transfer as seriously as was initially suggested.

Most likely: a short-term contract in Spain or Italy. Eintracht no longer look like the favourites, while Joselu has no need to rush into accepting the first offer that comes his way.