Out of contract XI including Real Madrid and Barcelona stars

This summer’s transfer window promises to be another exciting one, with several of Europe’s elite looking to recruit talent in different positions. 

The likes of Erling Braut Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni have all been heavily linked with big money summer moves, and all 20 Premier League clubs will likely be active in the market.

There will also be a number of players leaving clubs as free agents upon the expiry of their contracts, and here we have put together an XI of players in that exact situation.

Goalkeeper – Andre Onana

The Ajax ‘keeper spent the majority of 2021 away from football, having been banned for a failed drugs tests. The Cameroonian returned to action earlier this year, though, and played six times in the Eredivisie as well as featuring at the African Cup of Nations for his country. Several clubs were linked with the player last summer when he was available for around £10 million, but he will now leave the Dutch side for free.

RCB – Antonio Rudiger

The Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed last weekend that Rudiger will leave the club this summer, citing the ongoing chaos relating to the club’s ownership as the prime reason for his decision. Real Madrid have reportedly already moved to secure a deal for the German, and whoever signs him will be getting of the the Premier League’s best central defenders.

CB – Andreas Christensen

Christensen is expected to join Barcelona

Rudiger’s teammate Christensen is also set to depart Stamford Bridge for nothing. The Dane has reportedly agreed terms with La Liga side Barcelona, ending a decade-long spell in west London.

LCB – Niklas Sule

Like Christensen, Sule has already agreed a deal to join another side when he leaves his current one. Unlike the Danish international, the Bayern Munich defender’s next step has already been announced. Sule will join Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

RWB – Ousmane Dembele

The Frenchman signed for Barcelona for £126 million back in 2017, but has disappointed during his time in Catalunya. The winger, playing slightly out of position in our XI, has only played 146 times in his five years in Spain, and has scored just 32 goals, a far cry from the form he showed at former side Dortmund.

CM – Franck Kessie

Kessie will have made more than 20 appearances for AC Milan by the time the season ends, but the Ivorian is set to leave the club in search of a new challenge. Several clubs have already been linked with the midfielder, who has scored 40 goals in 200 Serie A match throughout his career, despite often being deployed in a more defensive role.

RCM – Corentin Tolisso

Premier League clubs could be tempted by Tolisso

Tolisso will end his five-year stay in Munich in the summer, having failed to agree an extension to his current deal with Bayern. The France international looked set to become one of Europe’s best central midfielders when he arrived in Germany, but has failed to live up to that hype.

LCM – Paul Pogba

Arguably the most high profile departure from the Premier League this summer will be Pogba, who is set to end years of speculation surrounding his Manchester United future by leaving the club. The Frenchman has reportedly been unhappy throughout his second stint in Manchester, but Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are waiting in the wings to rescue him.

RW – Kylian Mbappe

One of Europe’s most coveted talents, Mbappe looks set to leave PSG this summer having failed to agree terms on an extension. The France international reportedly has his heart set on joining Real Madrid and, while the club have showed interest, a deal is far from being done. The 23-year-old has 33 goals and 22 assists across all competitions so far this term.

CF – Paulo Dybala

One player’s whose imminent departure has gone slightly under the radar is Dybala. The Argentine is set to end his seven-year stay in Turin. Undoubtedly one of the world’s most dangerous forwards, several clubs will likely be interested in the 28-year-old, who has 114 goals and 48 assists in 288 games for Juve.

Dybala has been linked with a Premier League move in the past

LW – Luis Suarez

Veteran striker Suarez’ stay in Atletico Madrid is set to come to an end after just two seasons. The Uruguayan added a fifth La Liga title to his personal trophy cabinet during his first campaign with Atletico, but this season has been less fruitful. Suarez has still managed 13 goals across all competitions but, considering his age too, there may not be as many clubs queueing up for the striker as there were when he left Barcelona in 2020.

This XI is just a small sample of the sheer array of talent set to be available for free this summer, with the likes of Angel di Maria and James Tarkowski also set for departure from their respective clubs. Which clubs will take advantage of the situation, though, remains to be seen.