The Top Free Agents This Summer & Where They Could End Up

Recent reports from Spain have seen Sergio Aguero be linked with a shock move to Spanish giants Barcelona, as the club continues their fight to keep Lionel Messi.

The Argentinian duo are good friends off the pitch, so offering Messi the chance to play alongside Aguero may convince him to remain at the Catalans. Aguero has been one of Europe’s finest strikers for the past 10 years and one of the Premier League's greatest-ever, however, he has struggled with fitness this season and has made just five league appearances.

The 32-year-old would prove to be a great addition to most squads across Europe, with Paris Saint-Germain also potentially looking at new reinforcements in attacking areas. At 32 and riddled with injuries, however, his wage could be off-putting.

Bayern Munich’s David Alaba is one of the finest defenders in Europe, having been at the club for over 10 years and played in a variety of roles.

Unfortunately for Bayern, Alaba has made it clear that he intends to leave the German champions this summer and the Austrian has acquired plenty of interest from other clubs. It has been rumoured that the 28-year-old has agreed a deal with Real Madrid, but other reports claim that nothing has yet been finalised.

The Austrian has attracted the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, but the Spanish capital seems to be his most likely destination, as moving to the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool could be a move down, with league titles not as prominent there as they are at Madrid and Bayern.

Dutch forward Memphis Depay has enjoyed a fruitful spell at Lyon, having joined following a torrid stint at Manchester United. At 26 and still with plenty to achieve, Depay would prove an excellent free transfer for many clubs across Europe and having him on a free would avoid the reported price tag of upwards of £50m for him that has been set in the past by the French side.

Clubs such as Liverpool and Juventus may be looking to freshen up their forward line this summer following poor league campaigns, but Ronald Koeman is also rumoured to be interested in bringing his compatriot to Barcelona, after failed attempts in the summer.

If he is going anywhere, it will likely be to Barcelona, if last summer was anything to go by, but do expect many clubs to be in for him.

AC Milan have shocked many this season and currently sit two points clear at the top of the Serie A table. However, they will be concerned over the future of their 21-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose contract will expire in the summer.

Donnarumma has already made over 200 appearances for the Rossoneri but will be on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs looking to secure their long-term number one. Much has been made of the goalkeeper situation at Chelsea and the Blues have reportedly made Donnarumma their top target this summer, but Milan will fight hard and hope to convince their young stopper to remain at the club.

It's unclear where he could go, but considering Milan is his boyhood club, it's surprisingly odd for him not to sign a deal as of yet, however, if they win Serie A, do expect him to stay in Italy.

Undisputedly the biggest free agent of the year and probably of all-time is Barcelona’s megastar, Lionel Messi. The Argentinian had made his desires to leave the club public last summer, but was not allowed to leave and the only way in which he will do so, is on a free, as Barcelona simply will not budge.

With the club in financial disarray, along with Messi’s gigantic contract being leaked recently, Barca may need to cut their losses and allow Messi to join another team. If he is to leave, the front runners appear to be City and PSG once again.

One club offers Messi the chance to play under a manager who brought him so much success, Pep Guardiola, and one offers him the chance to play alongside one of his favourite previous strike partners, Neymar. Not many clubs in Europe could afford his huge wages, but these two appear to be the only ones able to do so, and, they're not exactly shy of a trophy or two either.

Since joining Liverpool in 2016, Georginio Wijnaldum has been pivotal to the success that the Reds have enjoyed over the past few years. The Dutchman’s future is unclear, however, contract negotiations have stumbled over the past months.

At 30 years old, the tenacious midfielder still has a few years at the top level left in him and would surely interest sides such as Real Madrid, who's midfield may need a refresh. Once again, the Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is reportedly keen on bringing his fellow Dutchman to the club, but this may not be the wisest move for them, as their squad is ageing as it is and could probably use some younger players with which to rebuild.

At 30, however, he can still do the job and for free, it's a brilliant signing for the Spanish giants.

By Luke Feather