Best Available Free Transfers in Summer 2026

Landing a top player for free has become something of a trend in recent seasons. Whether that might be Robert Lewandowski’s move to Bayern from Dortmund or more recently Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid from PSG, landing that big name without the huge transfer fee is something of a coup for a club.

With the end of the 2025/26 season fast approaching, it is now time to start looking at the next wave of top players that may be available for free in the summer. That is why, below, we have compiled a team of players who at this time are all available on free transfers.

Team of Best Available Free Transfers in Summer 2026

GK: Manuel Neuer

The 40-year-old’s contract is up this summer, but whether now is the time he leaves FC Bayern after 15 seasons remains to be seen. Some might have questioned whether or not he still has what it takes at the top level, but his performance in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal with Real Madrid just reminded everyone how good he still is.

RB: Oscar Mingueza

The Spanish international began his career at Barcelona, making 66 appearances for the club before his move to Celta Vigo for around €3 million in 2022. It is at Celta that his career has flourished, with the 26-year-old making 135 appearances to date since his move.

CB: Ibrahima Konate

The Liverpool star is expected to sign a new contract with the club, but until he does, he can be included in our list. The French international has become a mainstay of the Liverpool central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk since his move from RB Leipzig in 2021, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and 2 League Cups during his time at Anfield.

CB: Marcos Senesi

Bournemouth sold both of their centre-halves in Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi last summer, but Marcos Senesi has certainly stepped up in their absence. The former Feyenoord player has made over 100 appearances for Bournemouth since his move in 2022, but this has been his most important season to date.

LB: Andy Robertson

A stalwart of Liverpool’s great team under Jurgen Klopp, Scottish international Robertson has been a major part of Liverpool’s success over the last decade, making over 370 appearances up to now. He is said to be relaxed about his future, and he has the small matter of leading his country into their first World Cup in 28 years in the summer. A great place to remind people of how good a player he is.

CM: Leon Goretzka

Goretzka’s future is certainly up in the air. The 31-year-old has made nearly 40 appearances for Bayern this season, but question marks remain about his long-term future under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany. His all-action box-to-box style would make him a perfect addition to the Premier League, where there has been reported interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

CM: Xaver Schlager

Another Bundesliga midfielder, Schlager has made over 100 appearances for RB Leipzig since he joined from Wolfsburg in 2022. A versatile midfielder known for his high work rate, Schlager was heavily linked to Celtic in what would have been a sensational swoop. He has since been linked with Bayern, Juventus and Roma, so there should be plenty of interest in him at the end of the season.

RW: Mo Salah

The newest addition to this list, Liverpool legend Salah announced in March that he had reached an agreement with the club to end his contract a year early. That means he is available for free in the summer, with his destination expected to be the Saudi Pro League. There is sure to be interest from other big European clubs, however, but wherever Salah ends up, the 33-year-old will go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players.

AM: Bernardo Silva

What a free signing Bernardo Silva is going to be. Fleet-footed, graceful and hard-working, Silva has been brilliant for Manchester City since his move to the Etihad in 2017. He has recently announced he is going to leave City in the summer, with a move back to Portugal mooted for quite some time. Whichever club he joins, there is no doubt that Silva still has the class to perform at the highest level.

LW: Julian Brandt

This position could have been filled by Harry Wilson or Jadon Sancho, but we felt Julian Brandt warranted inclusion in our team. For so long a creative force in the Bundesliga, Brandt often goes under the radar, given the calibre of creative midfielders Germany possesses. He has announced that this season will be his last at Borussia Dortmund, but whether that means a move to a third Bundesliga club or a move overseas remains to be seen.

CF: Dusan Vlahovic

If Vlahovic finally gets his move from Juventus in the summer, he will certainly be one of the highest-profile free transfers. His move to Turin has not exactly worked out how he wanted after his €70 million move, but he will still attract a lot of interest from other Serie A clubs. A big presence, the left-footer is still only 26, so he has plenty of scope to improve in new surroundings.

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