Thanks to the Premier League's decision last year, this summer's transfer window actually closed on the eve of the first game week of the season, meaning teams are unable to buy in the market.

The majority of player's contracts run until the summer and if they cannot secure a new deal, then they are left as free agents. Free agents are available to clubs to sign at any time of the season.

This is great for Premier League teams who want to avoid paying high transfer fees but is a little worrying for those players who are without a club.

In this article we have found players of real Premier League quality who for one reason or another are without a club and are wanting to secure a move as soon as possible.

Patrice Evra

The former Man Utd defender made a return to the Premier League in 2018 with West Ham but only made five league appearances. The Frenchman has had a turbulent year after he kicked a fan in Marseille and was banned by UEFA for six months.

Could he make another sensational return to the Premier League? At 37, he will surely be hoping to pick up one last big contract.

Dimitar Berbatov

We are not sure what's more incredible, the fact that 37-year-old Dimitar Berbatov is still playing football, or the realisation that he doesn't currently have a club.

The Bulgarian goalscorer may be beyond his best years, but surely worth taking on a free transfer? He's certainly better than Indian side, Kerala Blasters, where he was last season.

James Collins

Collins, played for West Ham for a total of ten years for the Hammers over two spells, but was unceremoniously dumped from the club via email towards the end of last season.

The Welshman has had many injuries over his long career so you can understand why some clubs may be reluctant to offer him a contract.

Bakary Sako

Sako joined Palace in 2015, signing a three year contract and has been unable to convince boss Roy Hodgson he deserves another one, probably because of his poor scoring record.

With just 6 goals in 50 appearances, it will be hard for Malian to convince Premier League suitors he is worthy of a contract.

Robert Huth

In a way it is incredible to think that Robert Huth is only 33 years old.

The German defender has had a long a successful career in the Premier League, peaking with winning the title in 2016. He is another player on our list who could definitely offer a Premier League or Championship team something next season.

Stephen Ireland

Admit it, you had forgotten about this former Man City and Aston Villa man.

At 31, Stephen Ireland is some years off announcing his retirement, but injuries and a lack of opportunities has seen him play just 46 times in four years at Stoke. With the Potters relegated, the Irishman's contract was not renewed.

It's rumoured that Bolton Wanderers have taken the midfielder on a trial before the start of the season.

Micah Richards

Richards hasn't played a first team game for two years, thanks to a number of injuries and set-backs.

Still taking home £35,000 a week, the central defender has finally been released by Aston Villa and is available on a free transfer. He has a lot of Premier League experience, although it was a long time ago!

Claudio Yacob

Yacob made his Premier League debut in 2012 and has been in a regular in the squad since then, but with relegation to the Championship, he is another West Brom player looking for a new club.

The Argentine midfielder was a fan favourite at the Hawthorns, but he's lack of impact in six years is probably the reason why he hasn't been snapped up already.

Glen Johnson

It is incredible to think that Johnson has 54 England caps to his name, with his last appearance in 2014 at the World Cup.

Now 33, Johnson is along way from his days at Chelsea and Liverpool, playing only nine times last season for relegated Stoke City, before being released.

At his age, surely Johnson will be able to find himself a new club before the start of the season, a Premier League move is unlikely though.

Abel Hernandez

The Uruguayan has ended his stay at Hull City after four years at the club.

After scoring 36 goals in the 99 league appearances for the club, he is likely to join CSKA Moscow but is still currently a free agent.

Dean Marney

Marney was essential in Burnley's promotion to the Premier League in 2014 but has been the forgotten man at the club in recent seasons.

Last year in Burnley's best ever Premier League season, Marney didn't feature at all, making no appearances in all competitions. It is no surprise the 34-year-old wasn't awarded a new contract, but it is rumoured a move to Aston Villa is on the cards this summer.

Niko Krancjar

With Harry Redknapp out of work currently, you can understand why Niko Krancjar finds himself as a free-agent this summer.

The Croatian had an injury hit two years in Glasgow with Rangers ended in March by the club. With his great ability the 33-year-old surely still has something to offer in English football.

Gareth McAuley

After failing to help his side avoid relegation, West Brom defender Gareth McAuley is currently a free agent. There is no doubt that the Northern Irishman is a danger at set pieces and still could offer something for one of the 'lesser' teams in the division.

Boaz Myhill

Myhill is another West Brom player who was unsuccessful in securing a new deal with the West Midlands club. The 35-year-old had never been able to cement his place in the squad thanks to Ben Foster, but will be desperate to continue his career in the Premier League.

Alex Song

Former Arsenal and West Ham Utd midfielder Alex Song has been playing his football in Russia for Rubin Kazan for the last two years. After falling out with the club over wages, Song believes they owe him £7.9 million, he is once again on the look-out for a club.

Florentin Pogba

For Premier League teams looking to add a bit of the 'Pogba Factor' to their squad, Paul's older brother is available on a free transfer right now.

The 28-year-old defender is a little hot headed and showed that when he walked off the pitch and scuffled with his Gençlerbirliği team mates in May this year, hence why he currently doesn't have a club.

He had only been at the club since January this year, having left St.Etienne.

Hatem Ben Arfa

Ben Arfa made a great start to his career at Paris St-Germain, making 32 appearances as his team won three trophies in 2017. However after the arrival of Neymar and Mbappe that following summer, the former Newcastle man made zero appearances last season for the French champions.

It is rumoured that the midfielder is looking for a return to the Premier League this season, with West Ham more than interested.

Steve Sidwell

Sidwell was essential in Brighton's promotion to the Premier League season in 2017, playing 34 of the 46 league games. Last year however, injuries forced him to the physio's table for the whole season.

It was a back injury that was a main problem for the midfielder last season, after being released by Brighton he had minor surgery and is hoping to get back to fitness and find himself a new club soon.

Michael Essien

We know what you just said in your head "is Essien still playing?" The answer is Yes, the former Chelsea man has been playing his football in Indonesia for the last year.

The 35-year-old announced his retirement from international football this summer but is still looking to play domestically.

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri was a Premier League regular for Arsenal and the Man City for nine years before he was told to go on loan to Sevilla in 2016.

While there his antics off the pitch have lead to him being a free agent this summer. After a decent season with Sevilla he moved to Turkish side Antalayaspor where he played just eight times, before his contract was terminated. He was handed a six-month ban from UEFA for breaching WADA rules in February 2018.

Max Meyer

We know the midfielder isn't a former Premier league player, but the 22-year-old once dubbed the 'German Messi' is currently a free agent.

Linked with moves to Arsenal and Liverpool in recent years, Meyer left Schalke at the end of the 2018 season after making 145 appearances for the club.

Mario Balotelli

Love him or hate him, Mario Balotelli was great entertainment during his two spells in the Premier League with Man City and Liverpool.

Despite an incredible scoring record for Nice, 33 goals in 51 appearances, he was able to convince his owners into giving him a new contract after issues off the pitch.

John Terry

This guy doesn't really need much introduction.

At the age of 37, Terry might be passed his peak years, but last year at Aston Villa he did show his footballing brain is as good as ever.

Currently without a club, but is linked with a sensational return to Villa Park, after voting "Yes" on a fans' poll on social media, to the question "Would John Terry come back if he was asked?"

Claudio Marchisio

If any of our Premier League teams are looking for experience and a born winner, then they need to look no further than Claudio Marchisio.

It was announced this week that the Italian midfielder had left Juventus after 25 years at the club. At 32, he could surely offer someone something, just like our next man....

Stuart Taylor

Famously known for being a third choice keeper, Stuart Taylor has voiced his frustrations with his lack of first team football. The English goalkeeper left Southampton at the end of the 2017-18 season having not played a single game for the club.

At 37, although Taylor hasn't officially announced his retirement, you feel that he will have many decisions to make this summer.

Yaya Toure

After eight incredible years at Man City, Yaya Toure left the Premier League champions since Pep Guardiola made it clear he wasn't part of future plans.

On August 29th, Toure's agent announced that his client had completed a medical in London for a Premier League club. Manuel Pellegrini confirmed it definitely isn't West Ham, despite having coached the Ivorian at Manchester City.

At the time of writing, Arsenal are the bookies' favourites. Yaya once had a trial at Arsenal alongside his brother Kolo, but a work permit issue prevented him from signing for Arsene Wenger.

Lacina Traore

Traore who had a spell in the Premier League on loan at Everton, has ended his four-year stay at Monaco this summer and is currently looking for a club.

He hardly got an opportunity at Everton, maybe he deserves a second chance?