The Top 10 Out-of-Contract Players in Europe
With the 2021/22 season nearing an end, transfer speculation is ramping up around Europe.
In the current market, clubs must often be prepared to part with huge sums to sign proven performers or highly-rated young players.
However, it remains possible to bag a bargain or two, and, as things stand, there are some excellent players who will soon be available on frees.
We’ve dipped into our pioneering Incognito platform and picked out the 10 best soon-to-be free agents in Europe based on their performances this season.
10. Giacomo Bonaventura (CM) – Fiorentina (Serie A)
With almost 450 senior club appearances to his name, 32-year-old Bonaventura is a vastly experienced CM who has spent his entire career in his native Italy.
The 15-cap international joined Fiorentina on a two-year deal in 2020 and despite strong performances this season, an extension is yet to be confirmed.
He’s chipped in with three handy league goals and he rates well in several attributes including Attacking Intelligence (87.6), Dribble (85.6) and Pass (84.0), while he has the ninth best Defence Quality score among Serie A CMs.
9. Adnan Januzaj (RAM) – Real Sociedad (La Liga)
Zanuzaj appeared to struggle with sky-high expectation levels after making a sensational start to his career at Manchester United during the 2013/14 season.
However, while not always a nailed-on starter, he’s been quietly effective at Real Sociedad since moving there in 2017.
The versatile 27-year-old Belgian has only scored twice in La Liga this season but ranks second among league RAMs for Set Piece (90.8) and Pass (87.6).
These numbers suggest that the Januzaj would make an excellent free transfer signing this summer, but a late extension at Anoeta also remains a possibility.
8. Alessio Romagnoli (CB) – AC Milan (Serie A)
Romagnoli is Milan’s club captain but he's fallen out of favour during the second half of the season, with Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori now Stefano Pioli’s preferred CB partnership.
The 12-cap Italy international may well opt to move elsewhere this summer as a result, despite an extension offer from I Rossoneri, with Serie A rivals Lazio credited with interest.
Many other clubs will surely also be keen on a 27-year-old with the 13th highest Defence Quality rating out of 98 eligible Serie A CBs.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovi? (CF) – AC Milan (Serie A)
Ibrahimovi?’s 2021/22 campaign has been disrupted by several injuries, which is no great surprise given that the ex-Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG and Manchester United star is now 40.
However, when he's been fully fit, he’s been an important player for Milan, bagging eight league goals.
The charismatic Swede boasts an outstanding Aerial Attack rating of 90.2, while he also scores well for Physical (85.6) and Set Piece (82.8). These ratings contribute to an Attack Quality score (85.2) and an Incognito Score? (84.0) that are only bettered by five Serie A CFs.
6. Andreas Christensen (CB) – Chelsea (Premier League)
Christensen has found it difficult to get into Chelsea's starting XI under Thomas Tuchel, with Thiago Silva and Antonio Rüdiger forming a formidable first-choice CB partnership.
However, when he has received opportunities, he’s performed so well that he boasts the fourth highest Defence Quality rating out of 83 eligible Premier League CBs.
Reports suggest that the Denmark international has an agreement in place with Barcelona for next season.
Inter Milan have also been credited with interest, though, and many other clubs will surely keep tabs on his situation until his next destination is confirmed.
5. Luka Modri? (CM) – Real Madrid (La Liga)
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With a sensational assist in a Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea last month, Modri? proved to the world that he's still a top-class operator aged 36.
The Croatia legend has been shining week in week out in domestic competition too, helping Real Madrid cruise to the La Liga title.
His Incognito Score of 84.9 is the second highest among CMs in the Spanish top flight, with Pass (92.5) and Attacking Intelligence (90.9) his two best attributes.
As things stand, the ex-Spurs star will be unattached come the end of June, but contract talks are said to be at an advanced stage and Los Blancos will likely soon announce an extension.
4. Ivan Peri?i? (LWB) – Inter Milan (Serie A)
It may be a surprise to some that Modri? hasn't been the top-performing Croatian this season, but Peri?i? has been sensational for Serie A title contenders Inter Milan.
The 33-year-old is also at the back end of his career but is arguably better than ever right now.
He ranks first among eligible Italian top-tier wing backs for Aerial Attack (96.5), Cross (90.9) and Defensive Off Ball Intelligence (84.1).
A host of clubs would surely look to pounce if planned end-of-season contract talks break down.
3. Kylian Mbappé (CF) – PSG (Ligue 1)
Speculation about Mbappé's future has abounded this season, with Real Madrid making no secret of their desire to bring the World Cup winner to the Bernabéu.
A massive sign-on bonus is said to be on the table for him if he extends at PSG, though, and it's still unclear what the player himself actually wants.
Unsurprisingly, his 2021/22 numbers show that whoever he plays for next season will be a much better team for his presence.
He ranks first among Ligue 1 CFs for Attacking Intelligence (92.2), Shot (89.5) and Dribble (88.8), while he's also in the top five for Cross (79.5) and Pass (79.3). His Incognito Score? of 87.9 is the highest in the French top flight across all positions.
2. Paulo Dybala (CF) – Juventus (Serie A)
Dybala has had his fair share of injury problems in recent years, with this season no exception.
However, he's played enough to remind potential suitors of his elite-level ability.
The 28-year-old Argentine looks set to leave Juventus this summer and whoever snaps him up will be bringing in the player with the best Shot (94.3) and Pressure (89.3) scores, as well as the second best Pass (89.4) and Defensive Off Ball Intelligence (83.7) ratings for his position in Serie A.
1. Ousmane Dembélé (RAM) – Barcelona (La Liga)
Dembélé has spent large chunks of his five-year Barcelona career on the treatment table and just a few months ago, it looked certain that he would leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season, with club officials convinced he'd agreed a move elsewhere.
Yet, the two-footed World Cup winner has played a big part in Bar?a's much-improved recent form under Xavi and suddenly, an extension also looks a legitimate option.
Dembélé's commitment to rehab has been questioned in the past but his ability levels were never in doubt and his attacking attribute scores speak for themselves.
If he can stay fit, he'd be a major asset for any club in the world.
*Incognito Scores and attribute ratings based on domestic league performances only in matches up to but not including 30/04/2022.
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