Benzema, Sancho and Mahrez lead high-profile free-agent market after deadline

The transfer window may have closed in Europe’s five major leagues, but clubs can still sign players who are no longer under contract – leaving a number of high-profile names searching for their next move.

Among the most prominent free agents is Karim Benzema, the former Ballon d’Or winner, who is 38. The French striker ended his association with Al-Hilal by mutual agreement and has yet to confirm the next step in his career.

Former France midfielder Paul Pogba is also available after his attempt to revive his career with Monaco failed to produce a lasting return. The 2018 World Cup winner remains without a club.

Jadon Sancho is another major name on the list after Borussia Dortmund decided not to retain the England winger. According to Transfermarkt, Sancho is currently the most valuable free agent, with an estimated market value of €18m.

His spell without a club may not last long, with a potential move to Brazil under discussion. Sancho has been linked with Palmeiras.

Former Real Madrid defenders also available

David Alaba, the 34-year-old Austria international, is looking for a new club following his departure from Real Madrid. His former team-mate Dani Carvajal is in a similar position, with the Spaniard regarded as one of the modern legends of the Spanish club.

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez could also be heading for a new experience. The former Manchester City winger has been linked with a move to another Saudi Arabian club, Al-Shabab.

The available players also include several footballers with extensive Premier League experience. England winger Raheem Sterling, Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha, and midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Georginio Wijnaldum are among those currently unattached.

Portuguese defender Diogo Leite, 26, is another notable option. Transfermarkt values him at €12m, despite there being no transfer fee for a club able to agree personal terms with him.

Leite was linked with Paris Saint-Germain during the summer of 2025 and was also mentioned as a possible target for Marseille in recent weeks. However, he remains without a club.

Other familiar names on the European football scene include midfielder Yves Bissouma and former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich left-back Raphael Guerreiro.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is also part of the free-agent group. The versatile Ukraine international is currently recovering from surgery on knee ligaments, which he underwent in February.

Mauro Icardi, the former Paris Saint-Germain striker, is available as well. The Argentina international is joined on the list by French forward Anthony Martial, who became a free agent after an unsuccessful spell in Mexico.

The leading unattached players can be arranged into a prospective XI consisting of:

Goalkeeper: Neto.

Defence: Dani Carvajal, Diogo Leite, David Alaba and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Midfield: Paul Pogba, Yves Bissouma, Riyad Mahrez and Jadon Sancho.

Attack: Karim Benzema and Mauro Icardi.

Although the main transfer market has closed, free agents can still negotiate with clubs because they are no longer tied to a previous employer. That gives the likes of Benzema, Pogba, Sancho and Mahrez the opportunity to find new destinations in the weeks ahead, while clubs can add experienced players without paying a transfer fee.

The source material also carried a separate promotional line claiming that Real Madrid had beaten Barcelona and overwhelmed 17 clubs combined, as well as an invitation for readers to discuss football news in the Kooora forums.