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3rd July 2025
12:41pm BST
On Monday (June 30) more than 50 Premier League players saw their contracts expire, leaving them free to sign with new clubs for next-to-nothing.
While some of the biggest names have already secured lucrative deals, like Man City legend Kevin de Bruyne who moved to Napoli in Serie A and ex-Barcelona and PSG winger Pablo Sarabia who departed for the Qatari league, there are still plenty of stars ready and waiting to be hoovered up by top clubs.
Although less exciting than a big money move, signing a player for free at the conclusion of their contract can be a cost-effective way to enhance any squad all while ensuring there's plenty left in the budget for higher profile signings.
Take Axel Taunzebe for example, the ex-Manchester United man was out of contract after leaving relegated Ipswich Town and has recently signed with Burnley, adding bags of much needed top-flight experience to their newly-promoted squad.
Starting in goal, clubs should look no further than ex-Manchester City keeper Scott Carson. The 39-year-old may not have played a lot of games for the Cityzens, but he knows how to help foster a winning environment.
In his six-years in Manchester, Carson won 11 trophies. He also played for Charlton, Aston Villa, and West Brom in the Premier League, during a career that spans well over 20-years.
At right-back, any club should be happy to pick up a former FC Barcelona player no matter the depth they already have in place, so with Nelson Semedo — who played for La Blaugrana from 2017-2020 — out of contract after five-years at Wolves, the 31-year-old Portuguese international is the only option.
Centre-back is another given. Long-serving Manchester United man Victor Lindelof is now available and should be partnered with Ben Mee.
The pair have been regular Premier League starters since 2017 and 2016 respectively, racking up a combined 471 Premier League appearances between them.
Finishing up the backline is Sergio Reguilón at left-back.
The 28-year-old Spaniard has played for Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League and should perfectly compliment our right-back choice, since much like Semedo, Reguilón spent time at another Spanish superclub with Real Madrid.
Moving on from players who played for Barcelona half-a-decade ago, in the crux of the team, there's space for a midfielder who has been heavily linked with a move to the Barcelona team of today, in Thomas Partey.
The 32-year-old left Arsenal after failing to agree on a new deal with The Gunners last week.
The Ghanaian international won consistent plaudits for his composure on the ball and the ability to control the tempo during a five-year-spell at the North London club.
Those credentials outline Partey as the ideal midfield foundation for any Premier League team, where he can hold together a one-man defensive pivot on his own.
Despite the availability of other top players like Miralem Pjanic and Hakim Ziyech, Partey's all-round game simply stands head and shoulders above all competitors.
That defensive reliability will allow potential suitors to build greater creative freedom throughout the rest of the team.
Next to Partey we've opted for former Manchester United, Tottenham, and Inter Milan maestro Christian Erikson alongside Everton’s ex-midfield man Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The trio provide a perfect blend of experience, power, and creativity.
The attacking front-three are centred around Everton player Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 28-year-old, once viewed as the most exciting young attackers in English football, still boasts a 21-goal season as his best in the Premier League.
Although that occurred more than five-years ago and Calvert-Lewin has since struggled for consistency — managing just three Premier League games last season — the manager who can finally unlock the Englishman's potential will have a very serious talent on their hands.
The spots either side of Calvert-Lewin go to former Brighton winger Neal Maupay and Leciester City legend Jamie Vardy.
Vardy left the Foxes after the final game of last season and despite being 38-years-old, is yet to announce his retirement while Meapay is free to sign on after leaving Marseille at the end of last season.
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