The start of the domestic seasons around Europe are fast approaching, which means that players still without a club may be starting to panic if they haven’t got a club.

Free agents are the easiest way for clubs to sign some of the most illustrious players around the world and it’s not even only in football.

Right now NBA free agency rumors 2021 are spicing up the headlines in basketball related websites, for example.

Here we talk about football, so without further ado, let’s look at the current stars that are yet to put pen to paper on a deal with clubs ahead of the start of the new season.

Jerome Boateng

There aren’t many more successful players in the world of football than Jerome Boateng. The German international has won trophies wherever he has played throughout his career, but Bayern Munich decided against offering the 32-year-old a new deal at the end of the 2020-21 season.

That decision meant that Boateng ended his ten-year association with the Bavarian giants, which was a very successful period in the club’s history.

Boateng won nine league titles during his time at the Allianz Arena, as well as the DFB Pokal on five occasions and the Champions League twice. He was also part of the German World Cup-winning team in 2014.

Last season, he played 29 Bundesliga games for Munich, which was the most appearances that he had made in a single season throughout his career.

Hertha Berlin looks like one of the most interested clubs in signing the German international, but this looks like it could be an emergency last minute deal for a club desperate for an extra centre-back (looking at you Spurs).

Diego Costa

Diego Costa has been one of the most prolific strikers throughout his career in Europe, but this summer, he could potentially go into the 2021-22 season without a club. Costa left Atletico Madrid in the winter of 2021 and is yet to be snapped up by a new club.

 

The 32-year-old is one of the fiercest opponents on the pitch, and is known not to give opposing defences a moment of rest.

 

Costa’s breakthrough game in the 2009-10 season during his time with Valladolid, as he scored eight goals in 34 games. He was signed by Atletico Madrid in 2010, where he scored 43 goals in 94 games before moving to Chelsea.

He won two Premier League titles during his stay in England, before moving back to Atletico in the January window in 2018.

Benfica was allegedly interested in signing the Spanish international but having moved for Roman Yaremchuk already it’s unlikely that it happens now.

Now the most likely move for Diego is returning to Brazil, where he has an offer to play alongside Hulk in Atletico Mineiro. Otherwise, he can also move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar where he would earn enough to retire in two years.

Gary Cahill

Premier League clubs looking for a proven defender in the league may be hard-pressed to look past Gary Cahill.

The 35-year-old may be coming towards the end of his playing career, but on last season’s displays, he is still more than capable of performing at the top level. Cahill was released by Crystal Palace at the end of the 2020-21 season after the club decided to go in a new direction.

Cahill signed for the Eagles in 2019 after Chelsea decided against renewing his contract. His time at Stamford Bridge was an undeniable success, as he played 290 times in eight seasons with the club.

During his time with the Blues, he would virtually win everything available. He won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League and League Cup on one occasion. He was voted into the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions during his time at Chelsea.

Cahill will certainly be a defender that clubs such as Leicester City and Newcastle United will be looking at. However, it’s also likely that one of the newly promoted teams moves for him (Brentford could profit from such an experienced player in their backline).

David Luiz

David Luiz is one of the most instantly recognisable defenders in world football. Luiz was released by Arsenal at the end of the 2020-21 season and is currently without a club. The Brazilian defender has attracted high transfer fees throughout his career, as he moved to PSG for £50 million in 2014, before returning to Chelsea for £30 million two years later.

During his career, he has won trophies at every club he has played for. He won the Portuguese domestic title in 2010, before winning the Premier League and Ligue 1 later in his career.

He also has a Champions League winners medal from his time at Chelsea. A return to the Premier League is unlikely and right now the player seems more inclined to move back to Brazil where Flamengo has allegedly shown interest.