Alaba joins Udinese as high-profile free-agent list remains strong

David Alaba has joined Udinese on a contract until the end of the season, with a number of prominent players still available after the transfer window closed.

The former Real Madrid defender, a four-time Champions League winner, left the Spanish club when his five-year contract expired at the end of last season. He won 10 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and two LaLiga crowns with Real Madrid, and captained Austria at this year’s World Cup.

However, the 34-year-old centre-back has spent much of the past few years injured. He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December 2023 and missed more than a year, suffering several further setbacks after returning.

Udinese have lost their past three matches and are seeking greater defensive solidity. They have conceded 11 goals in their opening five league games and have yet to keep a clean sheet.

Carvajal linked with Premier League move

Another 34-year-old defender, Dani Carvajal, also left Real Madrid at the end of last season after 13 years at the club.

Carvajal won the Champions League six times and four league titles during that period. Like Alaba, he has been affected by injuries during the last two seasons, while the Euro 2024 winner was omitted from Spain’s World Cup squad.

Media reports have linked Carvajal with a move to the Premier League.

Sancho offers European experience

Jadon Sancho is also searching for a new club after his five-year Manchester United contract ended in June. The 26-year-old England forward joined United from Dortmund in 2021 but struggled to establish himself before a dispute with manager Erik ten Hag, who criticised his performances in training.

Sancho subsequently had several loan spells, including a return to Dortmund and periods with Chelsea and Aston Villa, but none resulted in a permanent transfer.

His record in European competition could appeal to clubs aiming for a long run on the continent. Sancho has reached three different European cup finals with three different clubs over the past three seasons.

He was part of Dortmund’s Champions League final defeat, then scored in Chelsea’s Conference League final victory. Last season, he came off the bench as Aston Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is another notable free agent. The 38-year-old French forward left Saudi club Al-Hilal by mutual consent at the end of August.

His compatriot Paul Pogba is also without a club after ending his association with AS Monaco. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder and World Cup winner missed more than two years because of a doping ban, while fitness problems after his return in November contributed to Monaco terminating his contract in August.

Other notable players seeking clubs include Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, a Premier League winner with Leicester City and Manchester City, former Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi, and Italian defenders Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian.

Reuters