David de Gea
The Spanish goalkeeper spent the entirety of last season without a club after departing Manchester United following a dozen years at Old Trafford. While he received numerous offers, De Gea aimed to compete at the highest level, ruling out options in Saudi Arabia and Nottingham Forest. The 33-year-old continued his training in England at non-league Altrincham to prepare for a football comeback. He has showcased his skills on Instagram and expressed that he is “ready to rock,” although he has yet to finalize a new contract, with recent speculations linking him to Genoa.
Anthony Martial
Similar to De Gea, Martial had a lengthy stint at United—lasting nine years—but he may not be as fondly remembered. Injuries hampered his later years at the club, and he never fully met expectations, which likely explains why the 28-year-old is still searching for his next opportunity. Martial is still relatively young, and if he can regain his fitness and form, he could prove valuable to many teams across Europe. A move back to Ligue 1 seems to be a viable option for the player with 30 international caps for France.
Could a transfer to Ligue 1 benefit Anthony Martial? Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock
Adrien Rabiot
On the lookout for a new opportunity, Rabiot is moving on after five seasons at Juventus, marking his second permanent club following PSG. The midfielder was part of France’s squad for the Euros and is eager to join another top-tier European team. He has been frequently linked with a move to Manchester United. At 29, Rabiot’s talent is undeniable, though questions about his attitude occasionally arise as a potential issue.
Joël Matip
Joining Liverpool on a free transfer in 2016, Matip left the club on a similar note eight years later, proving to be a shrewd acquisition for Jürgen Klopp as he achieved significant success during his tenure at Anfield. However, the Cameroonian managed just 14 appearances last season due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in December and has not played since, raising concerns about the 32-year-old’s fitness. Nevertheless, Matip’s prowess on the pitch remains undisputed, attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen, the German champions.
Joël Matip has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Mats Hummels
The 35-year-old concluded his second spell with Borussia Dortmund, which included a Champions League final appearance, and is now in search of one last challenge elsewhere. Hummels’ 12-and-a-half years at Dortmund were split by a stint at Bayern Munich, during which he secured five Bundesliga titles. The experienced centre-back has earned 78 caps for Germany, drawing interest from clubs in Spain and Italy as he aims to play outside of Germany for the first time in his career.
Memphis Depay
Following his role in helping the Netherlands reach the semifinals of Euro 2024, Depay has been enjoying a holiday after leaving Atlético Madrid at the conclusion of last season. The forward has 98 caps for his national team but has demonstrated inconsistent club performances. At Atlético, he was rarely trusted by Diego Simeone after a lackluster spell at Barcelona, from which he emerged as a star at Lyon, having previously struggled at Manchester United. Now at 30 years old and with a notable profile, including nearly 17 million Instagram followers, Depay is likely to return in a high-profile setting.
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Memphis Depay has experienced a tumultuous club career. Photograph: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Yusuf Yazici
Another player who just completed a summer at the Euros, Yazici is eyeing opportunities with leading clubs after departing Lille at the season’s end. His peak moment in France was winning a Ligue 1 title, complemented by loan spells at CSKA Moscow and Trabzonspor recently. The Turkish midfielder, who is married to a former Miss Turkey, has had difficulties securing a consistent starting position at Lille.
Iker Muniain
A true legend at Athletic Bilbao, Muniain finally realized his lifelong dream by lifting last season’s Copa del Rey trophy. Despite being the club captain, he was not a regular starter in his last season at San Mamés, prompting his decision to seek new opportunities. Having debuted in the club at age 16, the 31-year-old has broken several of its records. Although knee issues have slightly impaired his speed, his extensive experience compensates for that.
Iker Muniain is a club legend at Athletic Bilbao and is now exploring new opportunities. Photograph: Ricardo Larreina/Shutterstock
Mario Hermoso
A La Liga title holder with Atlético Madrid in 2020, Hermoso was a valuable €25m acquisition from Espanyol the prior year and had a steady presence in the Spanish capital for five seasons. Few left-footed centre-backs possess Hermoso’s caliber, and as a 29-year-old, he seems to be waiting as clubs from Italy, Saudi Arabia, and England consider how to entice him in the upcoming weeks.
Guido Rodríguez
Currently a world and Copa América champion with Argentina, Rodríguez was poised to shift from Real Betis to Barcelona until the deal fell apart. Not one for the limelight, Rodríguez is known for his intelligence on the pitch and has long been recognized as one of the top No 6s in La Liga. The 30-year-old has circulated through various transfer rumors and could end up in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Italy, or even Southampton, based on the latest reports.
