The official period for doing business might be over, but there is still the opportunity to pull off a shrewd move in the free agent market
Another frenzied transfer window has come to an end, with the market once again dominated by the Premier League in a record-breaking summer of spending by top-flight English sides. But despite the deadline passing, there are still deals to be done.
Away from the big bucks shelled out on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Benjamin Sesko, those who like to do things on the cheap – or are perhaps prone to leaving things until the very last minute and beyond – will now be scouring the free agent market for potential opportunities. In the Premier League, unattached players can be signed at any time and can play immediately, provided there is space in a club's registered squad.
It's a limited pool, but there is the potential to pull off a shrewd move if you act quickly. Below, GOAL looks at the 10 best players currently available to sign for absolutely nothing…
Getty Images SportMichail Antonio
After a period of reflection, West Ham took the difficult and rather brutal decision not to renew Michail Antonio's contract in the summer amid his ongoing recovery from the serious injuries he suffered in a near-fatal car crash in December 2024.
The 35-year-old striker returned to action well ahead of schedule, playing for Jamaica in June and scoring a brace for the Hammers' Under-21s in July, but he now finds himself without a club. Antonio has insisted he has no plans to retire, though, revealing in August that he has held talks with clubs in England and abroad as he targets a place in Jamaica's 2026 World Cup squad.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportJosh Brownhill
Probably one of the most attractive options available on the free agent market at the age of 29, Josh Brownhill is coming off the back of an outstanding final season with Burnley where he made 24 Championship goal contributions (18 goals, six assists) en route to promotion.
You would imagine the midfielder has been waiting for a Premier League club secure in their top-flight status to make an approach after walking away from the Clarets, although he has supposedly given consideration to a lucrative £100,000-per-week offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab. However, Wolves currently seem best placed to secure a deal.
Getty Images SportChristian Eriksen
Among a clutch of players to leave Manchester United at the end of their contracts in the summer, Christian Eriksen might have expected to have the pick of Premier League clubs outside of the top six having largely been a dependable presence at Old Trafford amid the chaos unfolding around him, albeit a serious injury diminished his impact.
However, with September now upon us, the attacking midfielder still finds himself without a club, contributing to the 33-year-old remarkably being left out Denmark's latest squad despite his status as a national icon. He has been linked with a return to Brentford, Burnley and, rather sensationally, Wrexham across the summer, but so far a move hasn't materialised.
Getty Images SportRick Karsdorp
Perhaps best known for his monumental, public falling out with then-Roma manager Jose Mourinho, Dutch right-back Rick Karsdorp is a free agent after his one-season contract with PSV in his homeland expired at the end of June.
A reliable defender with an eye for an assist when he marauds forward, Karsdorp could make for a smart pick-up for any top-flight club in need of defensive reinforcements, especially given he is still only 30 years old.
