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Who are the free agents after transfer deadline day?
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Sports

Who are the free agents after transfer deadline day?

From BBC News · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Several established players, including Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Dani Carvajal, remain without clubs after the transfer window closed.
  • Some players had contracts terminated, while others left clubs or completed loan spells without securing permanent moves.
  • Riyad Mahrez is reportedly close to joining Al-Shabab, while Borussia Dortmund has reportedly shown interest in Jadon Sancho.

The summer transfer window has closed, but a notable group of established names remain available on free transfers.

Paul Pogba, 33, has played little since his 18-month doping ban ended in March 2025. Monaco made only six appearances with him after he joined last summer before terminating his contract last month, a year ahead of schedule. Karim Benzema, 38, also left Saudi Arabia after Al-Hilal terminated his contract just six months after signing him. The Ballon d’Or winner had already made three appearances this season.

an extremely tough couple of years

— Unnamed sourcesSources told BBC Sport about Raheem Sterling’s recent period after his release by Feyenoord.

Riyad Mahrez, 35, became another Saudi Pro League player to see his contract terminated. The Algeria winger joined Al Ahli from Manchester City in 2023 and scored 37 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions. Reports suggest he will remain in Saudi Arabia and is close to joining Al-Shabab.

Raheem Sterling, 31, spent only three months and eight games at Feyenoord before his release. He is due in court next month over dangerous-driving charges after a May crash involving motorway barriers. Philippe Coutinho, 34, left boyhood club Vasco da Gama in February and said he was “tired mentally,” but has not announced his retirement. Jadon Sancho, 26, has endured a turbulent spell since joining Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million and has reportedly attracted interest from his former club. Dani Carvajal, 34, remains available after 13 years and 451 appearances for Real Madrid.

tired mentally

— Philippe CoutinhoCoutinho used the phrase when explaining his departure from Vasco da Gama.
About this summary

Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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