Man Utd icon & former Lionel Messi teammate among 10 most valuable free agents in 2024
Former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Leeds United stars are among the most valuable free agents across world football in 2024.
Players can end up on the free agents market for a number of reasons whether it’s down to bad fortune or simply just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
Using figures provided by Transfermarkt, we’ve found the 10 most valuable free agents who are all on the hunt for a new club right now.
10. Kostas Manolas – £2.1million
The Greek defender will always be fondly remembered for that goal against Barcelona back in 2018. Given his excellent football CV, we can’t imagine he’ll be out of the game for too long.
He most recently played for UAE outfit Sharjah, but had his contract cancelled by mutual consent earlier this month. A return to Europe could be on the cards.
9. Helder Costa – £2.4million
Leeds United splashed £15million on Costa back in 2020, but he’s not been up to much since then. He struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot at Elland Road and spent the last two seasons out on loan before his release last year.
Having only just turned 30, you’d imagine he’s still got some life in him yet. Costa isn’t the only former Leeds player without a club these days either.
READ: 5 former Leeds players we can’t believe are still free agents
=4. Kellyn Acosta – £2.6million
Following a two-year stint with Los Angeles FC, Acosta now finds himself on the free agents market. According to The Athletic, the likes of Chicago Fire, Sporting KC and Colorado Rapids are all interested in his signature.
=4. Wuilker Farinez – £2.6million
At just 25 years old, Farinez is the youngest player on this list. The Venezuelan goalkeeper most recently played for Nice but had his contract terminated by mutual consent earlier this month.
Back in 2019, the goalkeeper was reportedly wanted by Barcelona, although it remains to be seen where his next club will be.
=4. Anwar El Ghazi – £2.6million
The former Ajax and Aston Villa star now finds himself on the free-agent market. He most recently played for Mainz 05, but had his contract terminated due to the social media posts he made about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
El Ghazi is now said to be taking legal action against the German club for wrongful dismissal.
=4. Jamiro Monteiro – £2.6million
The Cape Verde midfielder has the chance to put himself in the shop window while playing at AFCON. He spent the last two years with San Jose Earthquakes and is now on the lookout for his next club.
=4. Josef Martinez – £2.6million
The Venezuelan forward built up a strong bond with Lionel Messi during their brief time together in Miami, but he had to make way for the incoming Luis Suarez.
Martinez has spent the last seven years playing in MLS and his next club is currently anyone’s guess.
JOSEF MARTÍNEZ STRIKES FIRST IN EXTRA-TIME TO SILENCE CINCY. 🤫
Inter Miami take their first lead of the match. 👀 pic.twitter.com/rk4tuyi7uK
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
3. Xeka – £4.3million
The Portuguese midfielder has had a tough time with injuries of late. He only managed nine appearances during his most recent stint with Rennes as a result of needing ankle surgery.
According to our friends at TEAMtalk, the likes of Everton, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Sheffield United have all shown a strong interest in the free agent.
2. Jesse Lingard – £5.1million
Despite being linked with plenty of clubs, Lingard is still on the free agent market, several months after his release from Nottingham Forest in the summer.
According to the Daily Mail, Lingard’s new agents have been exploring options in MLS, with Portland Timbers being named as a potential destination for the 31-year-old. Watch this space.
1. David De Gea – £6.9million
We can’t quite wrap our heads around the fact that De Gea is still without a club. Sure, he dropped a few blunders in his final days at United, but this is still the 2023-24 Golden Glove winner we’re talking about.
Despite seemingly having a number of options on the table, nothing has piqued De Gea’s interest so far. Surely it can’t be much longer until he finds himself a new club.
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