The January transfer window only seems like just yesterday but now all of the attention will have switched to what will happen over this summer. The second transfer window of the year will officially open on Saturday 1^st July but the transfer rumours of potential moves are already in full swing.

A main reason for this is that the lists of players being released by clubs at the end of the season are starting to emerge with some high profile departures in the Premier League already being announced.

Manchester City will be parting company with Willy Caballero, Jesus Navas and full-backs Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna whilst John Terry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be leaving Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

Whilst it might be exciting to splash tens – or even hundreds – of millions on a brand new signing for the new season, there are plenty of world-class players available this summer who will be out of contract come the end of June.

With this in mind, here are five free agents who have been playing in Europe that could be heading to England’s top flight this summer…

 

Rachid Ghezzal

 

After being closely tracked by Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham throughout this season, Lyon’s Rachid Ghezzal should be in high demand over the summer period with his current contract set to expire. The French club were hopeful to retain his signature but he is yet to put pen to paper and could be subject to a number of deals come the opening of the transfer window.

The Algerian was a revelation as part of the three-man Lyon attack that consisted of Alexandre Laxazette and Maxwel Cornet and has been a crucial member of the French side for a number of years now. Last season, the 25 year-old played a vital role to help the Ligue 1 side clinch the runners-up spot behind unassailable leaders PSG and, to date, he has 14 goals and 20 assists in just over 100 appearances. He has not just caught the eye of English clubs either though as Monaco and Italian giants AC Milan are also said to be interested in Ghezzal – this transfer will definitely be one to watch this summer.

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is set to decide his footballing future after he returns from a two-week break. Currently under contract until the end of June with Nice, the Italian is considering all of his options despite the Ligue 1 side expressing their interest in keeping hold of the forward. The striker played a big part in helping his side qualify for the Champions League after finding the back of the net on 17 occasions during 28 appearances this season despite also managing to pick up three red cards.

Having previously arrived at the French club on the final day of the transfer window, it would seem that last minute deals do not phase the 26 year-old. He obviously has plenty of previous top-flight experience in England after an initial spell with Manchester City, which was followed by a rather disappointing return with Liverpool. A transfer back to the Premier League would certainly be a gamble for the controversial striker but would any English team be brave enough to take him on next season?

Iker Casillas

 

When Iker Casillas left Real Madrid back in 2015, his form had gone out of the window, his confidence was shot and he had fallen right down the pecking order under Rafa Benitez. Before this, the 2010 World Cup winner was regarded as one of the very best keepers in the world making over 700 appearances for Madrid during his 16 years service at the Bernabeu.

Whilst at Porto, the player has been able to rebuild his reputation as a reliable keeper between the sticks and both he and Porto have benefitted mutually from his time in Portugal. He kept 23 clean sheets in 43 games this season as he particularly impressed and with his contract set to expire, the veteran goalkeeper will be looking for his next adventure. It now looks unlikely that he will stay with his current side next season and after his recent rediscovery of form, you can guarantee that the top clubs across Europe – including England – will be looking to convince him to sign.

Pepe

 

At the age of 34, Portuguese international Pepe will see his current contract with Real Madrid expire over the summer. However, he has said that he will be prepared to wait until the very last minute for a new contract but after being excluded from the Champions League final squad, this really is not looking likely. The Euro 2016 winner has had an injury-affected campaign and has not played for Zinedine Zidane’s side since cracking one of his ribs after scoring in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in early April.

Despite his ageing years, Pepe would still be a magnificent signing for most top teams across the world having won three La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and two Champions League trophies since joining Madrid from Benfica in 2007 for €30 million. Should Premier League clubs be interested then they will have to act fast as he has reportedly already received offers from the Chinese club Hebei Fortune, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.

Holger Badstuber

Despite once being one of the brightest young starts to emerge from German football, Holger Badstuber has had a rather torrid time over the last few seasons with unrelenting injury issues. After tearing his thigh muscle in 2015 and breaking his ankle in 2016, the defender has been restricted in to making just nine appearances for Bayern Munich in this period before being shipped off to Schalke on loan for the second half of the 2016-17 season.

His run of bad form seemed to be continuing after his release from Munich was confirmed after almost 15 years of service for the club but after rediscovering his form on loan, interest in the centre back appears to be high with Manchester City taking a keen interest in the 28-year-old. Pep Guardiola did try and bring him to the Etihad during January as he tried to find cover for his City defence and it would seem that he will try to push for this transfer once again. Badstuber’s signature will be highly sought after this summer, especially now that he has confirmed that he is for a looking for a new experience abroad.