Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Free agent XI as ex-Real Madrid duo become available alongside former Man City star

The transfer window may now be officially closed until the summer, but there are still plenty of quality players who find themselves at a loose end.

While Tuesday evening marked the final opportunity of the season for clubs to sign players already under contract, teams still wishing to bolster their squads still have the option of picking up reinforcements from free agents.

This could be those who have recently come to the end of their short term deal, had their contract terminated or haven't had a club since the start of the campaign. There are a number of high-profile players who will be looking to get back in, while there are also many clubs that will be scouting around the free agent market right now.

So, with that in mind, here is a look at the best free agent XI at the minute.

Goalkeeper - Ivan Arboleda

The Colombian goalkeeper has been a free agent since September, having left Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. Arboleda, 26, started his career off at Banfield but made just 74 appearances across a seven-year spell before moving to Spain. He is now a free agent and available to talk to new clubs.

Right-back - Sime Vrsaljko

A vastly experienced right-back, Vrsalijko, 31, has been out of contract since the start of the month after his short term deal at Olympiacos came to an end. The Croatian also played 29 times for Atletico Madrid last season and still has so much to offer at the top level. He could be an astute buy for anyone needing another defender.

Centre-back - Nikola Maksimovic

Another experienced campaigner, Maksimovic has struggled for injuries in recent years but could no doubt be an excellent pick-up for clubs in need of a centre-back. The Serbian hasn't played a minute since last season, however, having been released by Genoa after making just 14 appearances for the Serie A side. He has also played for Torino, Napoli and Spartak Moscow amongst others in his career.

Ex-Genoa and Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic is a free agent (Getty Images)

Centre-back - Eliaquim Mangala

Once a £31million player, Mangala's career has spiralled on a downward curve since his move to Manchester City in 2014, but he still has qualities that may benefit a Premier League club. Mangala has been a free agent since the summer, however, having left Saint Ettiene after playing just 15 times. But with over 350 appearances to his name, the 31-year-old will bring experience and leadership to any back-line.

Left-back - Danny Rose

Former England international Rose has suffered with off-field and confidence issues in recent times and left Watford in September following a mutual termination of his contract. It means he has spent the last five months as a free agent and may be looking for a return to football. The ex-Tottenham defender has 295 club games to his name.

Midfield - Isco

Arguably the most high-profile name in this team, Isco came very close to making the switch to Bundesliga title challengers Union Berlin on deadline day, before a deal fell through. The former Real Madrid star left Sevilla back in December and has been searching for a club since, with Everton now reportedly interested.

Isco's contract at Sevilla was ended prematurely (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Midfield - Alan Sonora

A player many may not have heard of, Sonora, 24, is a talented box-to-box midfielder having last played for Argentine-based side Independiente. Sonora is also a United States international after being born in New York and has lots of potential to go and improve and test himself at a better level.

Midfield - Alejandro Pozuelo

The 31-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Inter Miami ran out at the end of the MLS season. Pozuelo is well journeyed, his career spanning from Real Betis to Miami via Swansea, but has always contributed with goals and assists. His best stint came in Belgium with KRC Genk, where he spent four seasons and registered 25 goals and 60 assists from 177 appearances - a period which also included Europa League football.

Forward - Andre Ayew

Everton have already been touted with interest in the 33-year-old Ghanian, who recently became a free agent after he was released from Qatar-based club Al-Sadd. Ayew showed at the World Cup that he still has the ability to perform at the highest level and could be a decent option for Premier League clubs.

Andre Ayew in action during the World Cup (Getty Images)

Forward - Artem Dzyuba

A proper target man, Dzyuba, 34, has been without a club since November, having left Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor. He has spent the majority of his career in Russia, however, with the likes of Zenit, Spartak Moscow and Rostov, scoring 187 goals in 508 club games.

Forward - Jese Rodriguez

The second former Real Madrid man on this list, Jese started his career at Los Blancos and broke through into the first-team. But the Spaniard was behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the left-wing pecking order and struggled for game time, before moving to PSG in 2016. He has since played for Stoke, Real Betis and Las Palmas, before last donning Ankaragücü, but was released on January 13.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.