Sport
5 best free transfers available in 2022
The coming summer transfer window is set to be one of the most interesting in many years. Not only will there be the usual sagas around stars like Erling Haaland, there are a clutch of world-class players who have run their contracts down. Here are the top names set to become free transfers in 2022 – unless they renew their deals.
5 best free transfers available in 2022
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Mbappe confirmed in a recent interview with CNN that he will see out the season with PSG, though it is possible their resolve will be tested by some tempting offers during January. As much as the France forward insists he is happy in Paris, the speculation linking him with a summer switch to Real Madrid at the end of his contract continues to build.
Madrid have set their sights on Mbappe for years, viewing the 23-year-old as the ideal successor to compatriot Karim Benzema as the leader of their attack.
It is easy to see why a move to Madrid would appeal to Mbappe, but he will not be short of offers. Manchester City, still lacking a striker after missing out on Harry Kane, will want to be part of the conversation and Bayern Munich – though keen on Haaland – cannot be discounted.
PSG will still be trying to persuade Mbappe to renew as well, but Madrid are the front-runners. As PSG face Madrid in the Champions League knockouts, this could also complicate matters.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Another World Cup winner could be on his way to the Spanish capital in the summer too, as the second entry on our list of free transfers in the summer of 2022.
Pogba has failed to set the world alight since returning to Manchester United and a break away from Old Trafford seems to be by far the most likely outcome come the end of the season. A return to Juventus has been mooted, who had his best days in Turin. With Max Allegri also back at the Serie A giants, a reunion might be the best move for the 28-year-old.
Madrid are long-term admirers, though, and with an ageing midfield they might see Pogba as the ideal player to build around for the future, alongside compatriot Eduardo Camavinga.
Like most top clubs in the world, Madrid’s financial situation has been hit hard by COVID-19, so the chance to bring in Pogba on a free transfer could make him a high priority for them. Should Ralf Rangnick find a way to unlock Pogba’s talent, he might well stay at United, though.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Madrid’s rebuild could see one of their most iconic players in modern history leave. Modric, the Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, is still one of the best midfielders around despite his advancing age. At 36, Modric is still playing close to his best and Madrid are reportedly keen to tie him down to a new 12-month deal, but he might fancy a change of scenery for the end of his career.
Modric plans to represent Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, so a retirement does not look to be on the cards, while a romantic return to Tottenham also appears to be highly unlikely despite the presumed willingness of Daniel Levy to snap up free transfers who might save him a transfer fee.
Manchester United have been linked with Modric but he would be a very smart signing on a free transfer for all of Europe’s elite. Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale is another high-profile player out of contract this year. The Wales star remains on the fringes at the Santiago Bernabeu and his future is shrouded in mystery.
Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
World-class defenders are not available for nothing very often, which makes Rudiger one of the most intriguing free transfers of 2022. Chelsea remain determined to persuade Rudiger to stay but it is in his best interests to run down his deal and see what offers are on the table come the end of the current campaign.
At 28, Rudiger is in the peak years of his career and he will be able to ask for a colossal wage given there would be no transfer fee to be paid. Inevitably, Madrid are reportedly interested in Rudiger, where he could partner David Alaba, who joined on a free in 2021. The Germany defender is also reportedly a target for Bayern too.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Juventus are in a sticky spot financially, while a second below-par season in a row is making it harder for them to persuade Dybala to sign a new contract.
The 28-year-old has been in Turin since 2015 but reports linking him with a move away have been building in recent years. Dybala was understood to be close to joining Tottenham in a big-money deal two years ago and they could be keen on the Argentina international again.
Liverpool are also credited with an interest in Dybala, who remains in talks with Juve over an extension but he has struggled for form amid myriad injury issues so far this term.
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