Top 5 free agents ahead of 2024 January transfer window

Let’s take a look at the best players who could secure a free transfer mid-season.

As football fans eagerly anticipate the opening of the 2024 January transfer window, clubs across the globe are scouting potential talents to bolster their squads.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best players who are currently available for a free move.

5- Jerome Boateng

Boateng has stayed out of work since the expiration of his contract at Lyon in July. The World Cup winner almost secured a move back to Bayern Munich. But pressure from the club’s fan base ultimately prevented them from completing the transfer.

Jérôme Boateng: "[Joining] Bayern would have been a matter of the heart to me, as it's my former club. I'm taking the good sporting impressions I've shown at this level into new opportunities and tasks. My future now lies abroad. I can only promise a new club that I will help… pic.twitter.com/quRsRmTdAG
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 12, 2023

4- Jesse Lingard

Lingard left Nottingham Forest as a free agent after spending a year at City Ground. Despite the initial reports linking Lingard with a possible return to West Ham, it seems the 30-year-old’s most likely destination is Saudi Arabia.

Jesse Lingard will join Al-Ettifaq but must wait until January to seal his transfer due to the foreign players' rule in Saudi Arabia https://t.co/3wGeS59wDo pic.twitter.com/xgCi7Fi0ac
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) October 14, 2023

3- Nico Schulz

Schulz has been available as a free agent since Borussia Dortmund terminated his contract at the end of the 2022-23 season. The German left-back hopes to revive his career after a disastrous spell with the Black and Yellows.

2- Andre Ayew

Ayew returned to the Premier League on a January move to Nottingham Forest last season, but the club decided not to extend his six-month deal. The 33-year-old has nonetheless maintained his place in Ghana’s squad, with GFA confirming the Black Stars captain is “in talks with several clubs” over a possible mid-season move.

1- David de Gea

De Gea has been unable to find a new club since ending his 12-year spell at Manchester United. Bayern Munich were reportedly considering a move for the Spaniard in the summer but ultimately decided to sign a younger goalkeeper. De Gea has offers from Saudi Arabia but he’s seemingly waiting for another opportunity in Europe.