'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwX/2gAIAQEAAAAACZ//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAC//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAgEAABBAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBQAGMhESExQj/9oACAEBAAE/AKCggR7WGxEaT2ie7W5cgRdNogQEQkToicjIs2Pab2n2G0rI1iXghSnYwfMeIGopn//EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEEkH/2gAIAQIBAT8AwbXs3LHs/8QAGhEBAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMAARJBwv/aAAgBAwEBPwDGzihS2OlX/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the 2020-21 season drawing to a close, teams have commenced their preparations for the upcoming summer transfer window.
While big-money signings often become the talk of the town, often loan deals and free-agent signings turn out to be more ingenious moves. In a highly inflated transfer market, selling clubs usually demand more than the market value of players, especially when the buying club is an elite in the continent.
Top ten free transfers of all time
With transfer fees of players reaching astronomical heights, clubs have often looked at the free-agent market, especially in recent times, to make useful additions to their rosters.
Juventus have made some of the biggest coups in world football without spending a dime. Free-transfer deals work well for all parties involved, as players are in a position to demand higher wages without the pressure of a huge transfer fee.
On that note, let's take a look at the top ten free transfers of all time.
#10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic | PSG to Manchester United (2016)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the biggest names in the modern game, having enjoyed an exceptional career in some of the biggest leagues in Europe.
The enigmatic Swede was reunited with his former manager, Jose Mourinho, when he joined forces with Manchester United in 2016. Ibrahimovich departed Parc des Princes at the end of his contract and signed with United on a one-year deal.
United paid a fee in the region of $115 million for Paul Pogba in that same transfer window. But it was Zlatan Ibrahimovich who was arguably United's best player that season.
The 39-year old notched up 28 goals and ten assists from 46 appearances in his debut season, adding three more trophies - Community Shield, Europa League, and Carabao Cup - to his burgeoning cabinet.
#9 Miroslav Klose | Bayern Munich to Lazio (2011)
Next up, we have the leading goal-scorer in World Cup football - Miroslav Klose. The German left Bayern Munich when he was 33, after winning some of the biggest titles in German football.
Despite his exploits, Bayern Munich weren't reluctant to renew the contract of their ageing striker, and Klose found a new home at the Stadio Olimpico.
In 170 appearances for Lazio, the striker scored 64 goals, making him the second-highest foreign goal-scorer in the club's history. Klose also played a pivotal role in Lazio's Coppa Italia triumph in 2012-13.
Klose played five seasons at Lazio before hanging up his boots in 2016.
#8 Esteban Cambiasso | Real Madrid to Inter Milan
Esteban Cambiasso is one of the few who can be included twice in this list.
The first instance would be his move from Real Madrid to Inter Milan in 2004, where he won five consecutive Serie A titles. In the second instance, Cambiasso moved to Leicester City on a free transfer in 2014, playing a pivotal role in helping the future Premier League winners stave off relegation.
The Italian midfielder was one of the most under-utilized players at Real Madrid back in the day, as Los Blancos laid more emphasis on the 'Galacticos'.
Inter Milan signed the then-24 year old on a free transfer, and Cambiasso quickly became one of the first names in their team sheet. Cambiasso was the engine room in Inter's midfield, winning five Scudetto in a row and a European treble in 2010.
In 315 appearances for Inter Milan, Cambiasso found the back of the net on 41 occasions.
In 2014, Cambiasso moved from Inter Milan to Leicester City on a free transfer. Even though he wasn't a part of Leicester's magical 2015/16 Premier League triumph, he played a pivotal role in that win.
In the 2014-15 campaign, Leicester City looked good to be relegated. Still, the Argentine helped them mount a miraculous comeback, winning seven of their final nine games to avoid the much-dreaded drop.
The rest, as they say, is history. Leicester City went on to script one of the most improbable league triumphs in the game's history.
#7 Raul | Real Madrid to FC Schalke (2010)
Raul is one of the greatest names to have graced the beautiful game, acquiring legendary status during his time at Real Madrid. The striker scored 323 times for Madrid in 741 appearances, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League medals in an illustrious 16-year stint at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Raul became a free agent in the summer of 2010 and had the option to choose from a host of top European clubs. He eventually moved to Schalke as a 33-year old, but there were doubts about his ability because of his age. But the Spanish legend showcased his class once again - this time in German football - scoring 40 goals in 98 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
The Spaniard helped Schalke lift the German League Cup and the Supercup titles in his two-season stint at the Veltins Arena.
#6 Michael Ballack | Bayern Munich to Chelsea (2006)
Michael Ballack departed Bayern Munich as a free agent in 2006, choosing to shift base to Stamford Bridge, amid interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Chelsea were known to splurge a lot, especially in the early days of Roman Abramovich's reign. But the Ballack signing turned out to be one of their best transfer moves, one that didn't cost the club a penny.
The three-time Bundesliga winner and three-time German Player of the year continued to add to his illustrious trophy cabinet in four successful seasons at Chelsea. In 167 appearances for the Blues, Ballack notched up 49 goal contributions (25 goals and 24 assists).
Ballack left Chelsea in 2010 for Bayer Leverkusen after winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup.
#5 Paul Pogba | Manchester United to Juventus (2012)
Paul Pogba left Manchester United on rather unsavoury terms, after failing to impress Sir Alex Ferguson. Controversially, the Frenchman let his contract run its course and left Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2012.
Juventus did have to pay a minimal compensation fee, but that was well worth the 34 goals and 40 assists Pogba produced in 178 appearances.
Pogba's four years at the Allianz Arena elevated his reputation from a promising youngster to one of world football's best midfielders. The Frenchman also won four consecutive Serie A titles during his time at the Italian giants.
Interestingly, four years later, Manchester United dished out $115 million for his services after letting the player leave for free. Suffice to say, Pogba's second stint at Old Trafford has been a bit of a mixed bag.
#4 Sol Campbell | Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal (2001)
In one of the most controversial moves in the early 2000s, Tottenham Hotspur captain Sol Campbell shifted his allegiance to Spurs' arch-rivals Arsenal.
Campbell had initially suggested that he would stay on at Tottenham Hotspur, so the Lilywhite faithful rightly felt betrayed when he moved cross-town to join Arsenal in 2001.
Despite all the talk surrounding his 'betrayal', Wenger signed Campbell solely based on the player's defensive acumen.
The Englishman was one of the best centre-backs in world football at that time and played a key role in Arsenal's 'Invincibles' who went unbeaten in 49 consecutive games.
After 12 years at Tottenham Hotspur, Campbell spent his next five at Arsenal, winning two Premier League and as many FA Cup trophies.
During his time at Arsenal, Campbell helped the Gunners keep 51 clean sheets in 211 appearances. He left the club in 2006 but returned for a final one-year stint in 2009-10.
#3 James Milner | Manchester City to Liverpool (2015)
Signing three-time Premier League winner James Milner in 2015 turned out to be a masterstroke for Liverpool.
The Welshman isn't the most skilful player in world football but has the rare talent to play virtually any position when required.
Milner soon became Liverpool's Mr Reliable and one of the first names in the Liverpool team that lifted the Premier League last season and a Champions League medal the previous season.
In his time at Liverpool, Milner became the first player in Champions League history to register nine assists in a single season.
With Milner in their ranks, the club made it to consecutive Champions League finals, making Liverpool one of Europe's best once again.
In 244 appearances for the club, Milner has registered 67 goal contributions (26 goals and 41 assists).
#2 Andrea Pirlo | AC Milan to Juventus (2011)
Andrea Pirlo is one of the greatest-ever in world football, and it was no surprise when Juventus snapped up the midfield maestro on a free transfer.
Pirlo parted ways with Milan after an illustrious career spanning ten years, during which time, he won two Serie A titles, along with a Champions League medal.
Even though he was 32, it was criminal to let someone of Pirlo's calibre leave the club on a free transfer. In 164 appearances for the Bianconeri, Pirlo had 19 goals and 38 assists to his name.
Former Italy and Juventus captain, Gianluigi Buffon, summed up Pirlo's transfer perfectly:
"When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was: 'God exists'. A player of his level and ability, not to mention that he was free, I think it was the signing of the century!"
#1 Robert Lewandowski | Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich (2014)
Robert Lewandowski's move from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014 has to be one of the best free transfers of all time.
Like most other Bundesliga outfits, Dortmund gained a reputation of being a 'feeder club; for the German champions. However, no signing would go on to make an impact like Lewandowski at the Allianz Arena, that too on a free transfer.
Dortmund had lost Mario Götze just a year before and weren't willing to part ways with another top player in the same window. That led to Lewandowski running out his contract at Signal Iduna Park before moving to Munich, following a pre-contractual agreement in his last few months in Dortmund.
In 325 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, Lewandowski has scored a mammoth 288 goals, along with 64 assists.
The Polish is one of Bayern's most prolific goal-scorer, second only to Gerd Muller (564 goals). A Champions League medal and six consecutive Bundesliga titles later, Lewandowski is arguably the most remarkable bit of transfer business in world football.
