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The longest ever summer transfer window ended on 5th October, with clubs shelling out significant amounts of cash despite the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
English teams once again topped transfer activities, spending £1.2 billion. Chelsea alone splashed out £222.48 million on incoming players.
However, some players are left without a club even after the deadline day passed. These players can still sign for any team that wants them, although top clubs are unlikely to move for them now as squads for European competitions have been registered. A club around the middle or bottom of the table could still take a chance on them, as they bring years of top-level experience.
As the deadline approaches for clubs to confirm their 25-man squad for the 2020-21 season, these are the top free agents still available:
#10 Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato terminated his contract with Sao Paulo in August, ending his second stint at the Brazilian club with 9 goals in 35 appearances. There were talks about the Brazilian striker returning to Internacional, where he burst onto the scene at 17 and won the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup, but a deal has failed to materialize.
#9 Daniel Sturridge
The two-time Champions League winner's contract at Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor has been terminated following his ban by FA for violating betting regulations. The England International netted 7 goals in 16 appearances for the 'Karadeniz Fırtınası', though his time there was marred by frequent injuries.
The 31-year-old has been training with eighth-tier Kidsgrove Athletic, and has been linked with a host of MLS clubs.
#8 Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri's reunion with former-captain Vincent Kompany was cut short after Anderlecht terminated his contract as he went missing during the coronavirus lockdown. Players of the Belgian outfit were asked to inform the club of their movements and training schedules, but Nasri failed to contact his employers after flying to Dubai.
The 33-year-old won two Premier League titles with Manchester City after initially impressing for Arsenal. Italian club Benevento Calcio is in pole position to sign the French midfielder.
#7 Mario Balotelli
Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was released by his hometown club Brescia after they failed to activate an automatic renewal due to their relegation to Serie B. The Italian international has been strongly linked with a return to England with Watford. Although his high wage demands are proving a major stumbling block, Balotelli still prefers to stay in Italy.
#6 Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck left Watford by mutual consent recently and is another English striker who's career has been ravaged by injuries. The 29-year-old has won 42 international caps for England and even made it to the 2018 World Cup squad in Russia. The former Manchester United player scored 3 goals for the Hornets in 20 appearances, and will be a decent addition to teams battling it out in the relegation spots.
#5 Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere has had a career curtailed by a myriad of injuries. The extremely talented midfielder made only 19 appearances in two years, and has left West Ham with nine months left on his contract. A fit and firing Wilshere would be an asset to most sides, and he is heavily linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers.
#4 Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta was a lynchpin of Manchester City defence for nearly a decade before leaving for West Ham United in 2017 for a free transfer. The right-back has seen his game time reduce under David Moyes, and injury prevented him from signing a short-term deal at West Ham to finish the 2019/20 campaign. The Argentine is well past his best at 35, and it is unclear whether he's on the lookout for a new club, or wants to hang up his boots.
#3 Nathaniel Clyne
Nathaniel Clyne's contract with Premier League Champions Liverpool ran out over the summer. Clyne struggled to remain fit in his final years at Anfield, and never made enough appearances to automatically receive medals for the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, or Super Cup. The 29-year-old fullback was spotted training with Crystal Palace, and is expected to sign for the London club in the upcoming weekend.
#2 Shinji Kagawa
Japanese star playmaker Shinji Kagawa is without a club after ending his contract at Spanish Segunda side Real Zaragoza on October 2nd. After he excelled at Borussia Dortmund, the versatile attacking midfielder's career stalled and took a nosedive at Manchester United. His return to Westfalenstadion didn't go as planned, and he completed a move to Spain in 2019. The 31-year-old still has a lot left in his tank, and could still sign for a top side in Europe.
#1 Mario Mandzukic
Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic is available for free after being released by Qatari side Al-Duhail. The prolific forward snubbed a move to Old Trafford and left for Qatar in 2019 after having a trophy-laden career at Juventus. The 34-year-old led Croatia's charge in the 2018 World Cup and bagged a goal in the final. He is reported to have rejected a return to Serie A.
