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The transfer window is a crucial period for football clubs to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. Some spend millions to land their dream targets while a few others go for players on a free transfer.
There have been instances in history when players who signed for free made more of an impact than the club's costliest purchase. This summer saw some high-profile free transfer signings. Let's look at a team built with only those players who moved on a free transfer this summer.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan to PSG)
From making a senior debut at the age of 16, Gianluigi Donnarumma has never looked back. He has made over 250 senior appearances for AC Milan and was named the best Serie A goalkeeper last season.
Thanks to his exploits under the bars, AC Milan qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2014 while his Euro heroics took his stature to a whole new level. The 22-year-old was rock solid between the posts and helped Italy win the European Championship.
With Donnarumma's market value being around €62m, it was nothing short of a coup by PSG to sign a player of such stature for free.
Defenders
Center-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid to PSG)
After being synonymous with Real Madrid for 16 years, it was a shame that Real Madrid did not want to hold on to their captain. A warrior on the field, Sergio Ramos has won everything a footballer could want to win.
Arguably the best defender of his generation, he has not shown any signs of slowing down despite turning 34. He has five La Liga and four Champions League titles, four Club World Cups, two Euros, and a FIFA World Cup to his name.
Ramos has been named to the FIFPro World11 11 times - a record for a defender. PSG offered him the contract he demanded from Real Madrid and they will be hoping he brings them the Champions League trophy that's eluded them.
Center-back: Eric Garcia (Manchester City to Barcelona)
Eric Garcia began his football career at Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. For the club to sign him back is a happy homecoming for the 20-year-old Spaniard.
He was part of the star-studded Manchester City squad that has dominated Premier League football for nearly a half-decade. Despite his quality, however, intense competition within the team reduced his regular game time.
Garcia stands to be an asset to Barcelona over the next decade. In the post-Messi era, he could prove instrumental in bringing Blaugrana back to their glory days.
Left-back: David Alaba (Bayern Munich to Real Madrid)
After more than a decade with German giants Bayern Munich, David Alaba decided to take on a new challenge. He moved to Real Madrid after winning everything that was on offer in Germany. The 29-year-old played a big part in Bayern winning the sextuple last year.
Los Blancos' defense will feel the absence of Raphael Varane and Ramos, and it will fall to Alaba to fill that void this season. Fittingly, the Austrian has inherited the number four shirt at Real Madrid.
Right-back: Elseid Hysaj (Napoli to Lazio)
Elseid Hysaj moved to Lazio after his contract with Napoli expired this summer. The Albanian is an attacking full-back who can play on either side of the pitch. He was Maurizio Sarri's go-to man during the Italian coach's stint at Napoli.
At just 27, Hysaj still has a lot of football left in him and Lazio will be expecting him, under Sarri, to turn up for their side this season.
Midfield
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool to PSG)
Georginio Wijnaldum was close to joining Barcelona after his contract with Liverpool expired this summer. But the Netherlands national team captain chose PSG instead. The choice seems to be a masterstroke now, considering the players with whom he will be playing.
Wijnaldum had a successful career with the Reds where he won both the Premier League and the Champions League titles. His brace against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal was the pinnacle of his Anfield days. The Dutchman will be hoping to produce such moments of magic with PSG, who have been longing for Champions League success for a long time now.
Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan to Inter Milan)
The Turkish attacking mid-fielder chose to move from AC Milan to their cross-city rivals Inter Milan. Hakan Calhanoglu shined during his four years with AC Milan, scoring 32 goals in 172 appearances. He was instrumental in I Rossoneri's second-place finish last season as he played in 33 of the 38 league games. Hakan will hope to emulate the success at Inter, who have lost a few players to other clubs this summer.
Theo Walcott (Everton to Southampton)
Theo Walcott has returned permanently to Southampton, 15 years after he left them to join Arsenal. Known for his pace and accurate crossing, he could prove pivotal to his boyhood club's ambitions this year. Danny Ings leaving for Aston Villa adds more responsibility to the former Gunner. Walcott may have passed his peak, but on his day, he can torment any opponent single-handedly.
Attack
Left-wing: Memphis Depay (Lyon to Barcelona)
Memphis Depay was a disappointment at Manchester United. He has since buried his English stint deep in the past and went on to score 76 goals for Lyon over the past four-and-a-half seasons. The Dutchman established himself as one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1.
Depay's move to Barcelona is significant for both him and the team. He will be able to showcase his talents at one of the biggest clubs in the world, while Blaugrana will field a player nearing the peak of his career.
Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City to Barcelona)
Sergio Aguero has returned to Spain after 10 successful years at Manchester City. The Argentinian was instrumental in putting the blue side of Manchester on the football map. He has scored 260 goals during his tenure with the Sky Blues, winning five Premier League titles in the process.
The injury-time winner he scored against QPR to win the title in 2012 was one of the best Premier League moments in history. Aguero is fresh from winning the Copa America with Argentina and Barca will be hoping he fills the caverous void left by his fellow countryman Lionel Messi.
Right-wing: Lionel Messi (Barcelona to PSG)
Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona was impossible to imagine, even in a parallel universe. But the unimaginable happened as Barca decided to part ways with the Argentinian legend.
Messi scored 672 goals for Barcelona in 17 years with the Catalan giants. He won 10 La Liga and four Champions League titles with Barcelona. His haul of six Ballon d'Ors is second to none in footballing history.
The 34-year-old's career reached the pinnacle last month when he lifted the Copa America trophy with his national team. PSG acted swiftly to bring Messi to Paris. Now there can be no excuses if they miss the Champions League this season.
