10 most valuable free agents from Europe's top-5 leagues

With the transfer window closing in two weeks time, a few quality players are up for grabs.
With the transfer window closing in two weeks time, a few quality players are up for grabs.

#7 Fabio Borini - €4 million

Fabio Borini was crucial to Verona's ninth-place finish last season.
Fabio Borini was crucial to Verona's ninth-place finish last season.

Fabio Borini may have failed to live up to expectations at Liverpool, but in his subsequent spells with Milan and Hellas Verona, he has shown that he still has plenty to offer.

The Italian winger scored some key goals for Verona during the tail-end of the 2019-20 campaign that included the equaliser against champions Juventus in a 2-1 comeback victory which helped the side finish inside the top-half of the table.

Given his versatility in the attack coupled with his vast experience of playing for elite teams, the 29-year-old can be a valuable addition to any side looking to beat the drop.

#6 Hatem Ben Arfa - €4 million

Hatem Ben Arfa is often criticised for his lack of discipline.
Hatem Ben Arfa is often criticised for his lack of discipline.

Ben Arfa, once hailed as one of the best-rated talents in France, has had a career that has been a mixed bag. But he'll be most fondly remembered for his 17-goal salvo with Ligue 1 side Nice in the 2015-16 season, in a testament to how deadly he can be on his day.

The Frenchman is an accurate passer of the ball and has prolific dribbling skills. He can tear any defence apart when in form while his ability to get into half-spaces inside the penalty box can create scoring opportunities for teammates as well. However, he has often been criticised for a lack of work-rate and his poor disciplinary record.

#5 Ezequiel Garay - €4.8 million

Ezequiel Garay is tipped to return to Benfica.
Ezequiel Garay is tipped to return to Benfica.

Real Madrid fans remember Ezequiel Garay for being amongst those that got away. Limited opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu prompted the player to seek pastures elsewhere where he managed to establish himself as a bonafide defending maestro in successful spells at Benfica, Zenit St. Petersburg and Valencia.

He couldn't add to his 114 appearances for Los Che as a cruciate ligament injury in February this year ruled him out for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. The centre-back was later released by Valencia after the expiration of his contract.

Garay is now rumoured to rejoin Benfica where he won four titles and made 135 appearances in just three seasons.

#4 Jose Callejon - €7.35 million

Jose Callejon found his best form after joining Napoli from Real Madrid.
Jose Callejon found his best form after joining Napoli from Real Madrid.

Signed for just €10 million from Real Madrid in 2013, Jose Callejon proved to be an absolute bargain for Napoli. He scored 82 goals and made 78 assists in 349 appearances for the club as the Spaniard became one of the most fearsome forwards in Serie A.

For a key player who helped his side challenge for the Scudetto as well as in the Champions League, it's really perplexing that the Partenopei decided against extending his contract, especially since Dries Mertens, who's of the same age and posted similar stats as Callejon, was offered a new three-year deal.

Valencia are reported to be his likely next destination, even though Premier League sides Everton and Aston Villa are also rumoured to be interested in the player who's capable of playing anywhere across the frontline and create scoring opportunities at a phenomenal rate.

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Edited by Bhargav