FOR most footballers, the end of the season marks the chance to get some well-earned rest before going again next term.
But for many, it sees them enter a period of limbo – because their contracts are expiring.
And the list of stars currently set to be without a club includes some outrageous talent.
From World Cup winners and GOAT contenders to some of the top performers in the Premier League and across Europe.
SunSport creates the best XI of free agents who could be on the move for nothing during the summer transfer window if they don’t put pen to paper on contract extensions in the next few weeks.
And it may well be the greatest team of unemployed blokes ever…
GK: ALEX MERET
Napoli goalkeeper Meret, 28, has racked up 15 clean sheets in Serie A so far this season.
But more importantly, he could end the campaign with his second winner’s medal in three years and would be a shrewd acquisition for anyone wanting a new shot-stopper.
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RB: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
One man who has already secured the title is Alexander-Arnold, 26, with Liverpool.
He announced he will leave his boyhood club after 20 years at the end of the season – to a mixed reaction – and is on his way to Real Madrid.
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CB: JONATHAN TAH
Tah, 29, has been a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s recent success.
But with his deal up, he could see if Xabi Alonso takes over at the Bernabeu – and wants to take the German centre-back with him.
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SunSport revealed Newcastle have joined the likes of Real, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race for Tah.
CB: OLIVIER BOSCAGLI
Boscagli, 27, could be allowed to leave PSV – even if they pip Ajax to the Eredivisie title in dramatic fashion.
The Monaco-born Frenchman has never earned a senior international cap due to the sheer strength in depth in Les Bleus’ squad – but would be a smart signing for a lot of Prem sides.
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LB: TYRICK MITCHELL
Mitchell, 25, has been at Crystal Palace since joining the academy in 2016 and has started all 36 Prem games this season.
It would be a major mistake for the Eagles to let the academy graduate go for free – with no shortage of suitors – both due to the PSR benefits of selling him but also the quality they would lose.
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CM: THOMAS PARTEY
Partey, 31, has never quite lived up to the hype at Arsenal since his arrival in 2020.
And the possible addition of fellow holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi would see him drop down the pecking order so while talks are ongoing over an extension for Partey, it would not be a surprise to see him let go as Mikel Arteta refreshes the squad.
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CM: MARCO VERRATTI
Verratti, 32, spent 11 years at PSG where he won nine Ligue 1 titles before heading to Qatari outfit Al-Arabi.
With his contract ending in the Middle East, what does the future hold for the Euro 2020 winner?
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AM: KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Now we get to the real heavyweights with four superstars at the top end of the pitch – starting with Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian maestro, 33, is leaving Manchester City after ten sensational, trophy-laden years – more pushed than by his own accord.
Could Pep Guardiola and City’s loss be the gain for one of their main Premier League rivals who believe he still has plenty to bring?
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RW: LIONEL MESSI
OK, this front three is bonkers – and it starts with none other than Lionel Messi, although technically he becomes a free agent on December 31 due to the MLS season’s dates.
So Messi, 37, will play the 2025 campaign with Inter Miami – but then what will come next for one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a pitch? Another few years in Florida? An emotional return to Argentina? Retirement?
LW: NEYMAR
Messi’s former team-mate Neymar, 33, is hilariously valued at the same price as Fulham right-back Kenny Tete these days.
But after penning a short-term deal with Santos in January to end his Saudi nightmare, it started well enough before his injury woes kicked in again.
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ST: CRISTIANO RONALDO
And completing the all-star attack with a bonkers goals tally is Ronaldo at the tender age of 40.
His two-and-a-half years at Al-Nassr could be coming to an end with just one Arab Club Champions Cup to show for it (and an awful lot of money).
The Saudi club’s fans want to see the back of the veteran icon – but surely he is not ready to retire just yet, is he? So, where may he end up next?
SUBS
A special mention to some players who did not make the starting XI but are still free agents this summer.
The likes of Ola Aina, Jorginho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tariq Lamptey and Callum Wilson see their current deals in the Premier League expire at the end of June.
Plus, on the continent, Leroy Sane, Walter Benitez, Angel Gomes and Jonathan David are all out of contract.
And, of course, it would be wrong not to mention Jamie Vardy.
The ultimate Fox in the box will say goodbye to Leicester after 13 years on Sunday – hoping to score his 200th goal on his 500th and final appearance – but is not giving up on another season in the Premier League.
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