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With the 2018/2019 European footballing season drawing to a close, football fans would soon turn most of their attention towards another busy summer transfer window, as clubs make reinforcements to their playing squads.
The current market valuation means that quality players generally do not come cheap, with clubs expected to part with upwards of nine figures to get the very best, but shrewd tacticians are always on the lookout for cheaper alternatives.
These alternatives sometimes come in the form of players who failed to agree on fresh contract terms with their clubs and as such ran down their contract with the result being that they are free to leave on a free transfer at the expiration of their current deals.
Ever since the 'Bosman rule' was put in place in 1995, numerous world-class players have moved on a free transfer, with clubs benefiting immensely from the services of seasoned campaigners like Michael Ballack, Andrea Pirlo, Edgar Davids, Zlatan Ibrahimovic but to name a few.
The upcoming winter window was no different, with Aaron Ramsey agreeing to a free transfer to Juventus. In this piece, we shall be taking a look at five players who could offer immense value despite costing nothing in transfer fees.
#5 Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) - Forward
Daniel Sturridge was one of the driving forces behind Liverpool's ultimately fruitless quest for the 2013/14 Premier League title, partnering Luis Suarez in attack. However, those personal glory days are long gone, and these days the 27-year-old is nothing more than a backup option to Liverpool's terrific trident in attack.
His position as the go-to man for goals off the bench is no longer as certain as it was once owing to the emergence of Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri, such that he is not expected to remain at Anfield upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.
On his day, the England international is a sure source of goals and is bound to have his pick of suitors with Sevilla and Inter said to be interested, however, a major drawback would be his penchant for injuries given his poor history on the injury table.
#4 Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid) - Defender
Ever since becoming a mainstay on the left-side of Atleti's defence in 2010, Filipe Luis has proved himself to be a cornerstone in all the successes enjoyed by La Rojiblancos since then (bar a brief one year spell with Chelsea in 2014).
The 33-year-old has earned praise for his astute defending as well as his tactical and positional awareness, while he is no slouch either when it comes to attacking, providing more than his own fair share to Atletico's goals with his forays forward.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, the Brazilian international is yet to agree on fresh terms with the LaLiga outfit and looks set to move on to new pastures at the start of next season.
The left-back would offer defensive solidity as well as a wealth of experience to any potential buyers, but his advanced age would be a detracting factor.
#3 Juan Mata (Manchester United) - Midfielder
Juan Mata is one of the most decorated footballers of his generation, having won virtually everything winnable at both international and club level, playing a cameo role in Spain's EURO 2012 triumph. At club level, he took centre-stage in Chelsea's unlikely run to the 2012 Champions League win as well as numerous other domestic and international club competitions.
Having joined Manchester United in 2014 after three highly successful seasons with Chelsea, Mata has since gone onto represent the Red Devils with distinction, making 161 appearances for the club in the Premier League, scoring 33 goals.
The 31-year-old's contract is expiring this summer, and unless a contract agreement is reached with United soon, the World Cup winner could be available for suitors on a free transfer.
Mata's creativity and vision makes him a suitable addition to any team's midfield, but the former Chelsea man is said to favour a return back home to Valencia which is where it all started for him.
#2 Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid) - Defender
Arguably the most consistent defender in the world over the last five years, Diego Godin has been the cornerstone of one of the most miserly and structured defences the world has ever seen, with his leadership, positioning and tough tackling proving immensely beneficial to everything achieved by Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone.
Having failed to agree on fresh terms with Atletico Madrid, the 33-year-old is set to depart the Wanda Metropolitano, and bade the club's supporters an emotional farewell over the weekend after their 1-1 draw with Sevilla after nine years at the club, with Simeone describing him as a legend.
Manchester United had been keen on the Uruguayan international last summer, but Godin had turned them down in the hopes of agreeing to fresh terms with Atleti, but seeing as those plans did not come to fruition, it is yet to be seen if Solskjaer would return with a fresh bid or not although Inter are said to be interested.
#1 Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) - Defender
Since arriving in Manchester in 2009, Vincent Kompany has played his way into the club's folklore, captaining them through unarguably its most successful period in history.
The 32-year-old has skippered the club through four League Cup trophies, four league titles as well as numerous other honours and played huge roles in all the triumphs, with his long-range 25-yard screamer against Leicester being one of the hallmark goals of City's latest Premier League title.
Having arrived as a young man pledging the best years of his career to a mega-project which was still in its infancy, Kompany is departing ten years later as a full grown man having overseen the City project grow from baby steps into the massive behemoth that the club is right now.
The club hierarchy is still hopeful that a deal can be salvaged soon, but regardless, Kompany would still go down as the greatest defender to ever grace the blue half of Manchester.
