From Tuesday, 1 July, a number of top football players around the world will be out of contract, as most player deals in football expire on 30 June. Their availability could attract the attention of Premier League clubs.
When players' contracts expire, they can be signed for free, with no transfer fee paid to the player's club required. This has been the case since the "Bosman ruling" was introduced in 1995, when Belgian midfielder Jean Marc-Bosman successfully challenged RFC Liege's demand to receive a fee before permitting him to join another club after his contract had expired.
In the 30 years since then, we've seen some high-profile free transfers such as Sol Campbell swapping Tottenham Hotspur for Arsenal in 2001 and Germany captain Michael Ballack signing for Chelsea in 2006.
Below, we identify 20 players that clubs might consider signing this summer.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
When Everton spent £1.5million to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, then a relatively unknown 19-year-old forward, from Sheffield United, few could have predicted the rise that was to follow.
Over the course of nine years, the young striker would go on to establish himself as a key figure at Goodison Park. He made 273 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, netting 71 goals.
Calvert-Lewin’s most prolific season so far was in 2020/21, when he scored 21 times in all competitions, including his best Premier League tally to date - 16 goals in 33 appearances,
That momentum was soon disrupted. A series of injuries curtailed his progress in 2021/22 and 2022/23, when he was limited to just 18 league and cup appearances in each campaign.
Calvert-Lewin’s availability improved in 2023/24 (38 appearances in all competitions) and last season (26) but his goal tallies were in single figures. The 28-year-old's last strike for Everton came in January, in their 3-2 win over Spurs, just before another 12-match absence through injury.
Thomas Partey
Five years on from Thomas Partey’s arrival at Arsenal, it’s fair to say the Ghanaian midfielder has played a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta’s transformation of the team.
As the Spanish manager sought to usher in a new era at the Emirates, Partey became a key component in the finely tuned machine Arteta was building. He made 130 Premier League appearances, scoring nine times – including Arsenal’s Goal of the Season, against arch-rivals Spurs, in 2022/23.
Although a hamstring injury caused Partey to miss four months of the 2023/24 campaign, the 32-year-old returned to the fore last season and produced some moments of brilliance. One such highlight came on 23 November 2024, when he unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box against Nottingham Forest.
Nelson Semedo
Over the course of five seasons and 182 appearances in all competitions, Nelson Semedo developed into a dependable figure at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Portuguese right-back played a leading role in helping Vitor Pereira’s side remain in the Premier League, having taken on the captain’s armband following Mario Lemina’s departure in the winter transfer window.
While his tally of three goals and 11 assists may not leap off the page, the 31-year-old’s contribution to the club went far beyond statistics. His consistency, experience, and quiet authority made him a trusted presence in the squad.
Thomas Muller
In an era where one-club players have become increasingly rare, 35-year-old Thomas Muller stands as one of the last of a dying breed.
Having spent his entire professional career at Bayern Munich, the veteran forward has become synonymous with the club’s identity.
With a remarkable 755 appearances and 250 goals to his name, he is a Bayern legend and a towering figure in German football history.
Yet, as the club begins to pivot toward a more dynamic and modern style of play under new manager Vincent Kompany, Muller has found opportunities harder to come by.
The Belgian coach’s tactical vision has made it difficult to carve out a regular role for Muller in his system. He made 18 of his 30 Bundesliga appearances last season as a substitute.
Jonathan David
It's no secret that a number of clubs are searching for a striker this summer, and David has been linked with many of them including Man Utd, Newcastle United and West Ham United.
The 25-year-old Canada international lit up France's Ligue 1 with Lille last season, scoring 16 goals and producing five assists in 32 appearances. His seven UEFA Champions League goals in 2024/25 also drew many admirers from across Europe and Saudi Arabia.
In total, he has netted 109 goals in 232 games at club level since joining Lille in the summer of 2020. His contract expires on 30 June.
Olivier Boscagli
The classy 27-year-old French defender is said to be on Brighton & Hove Albion's radar.
As a ball-playing centre-back, Boscagli has impressive passing stats, playing 12.75 progressive passes per match last season for PSV Eindhoven.
Jamie Vardy
The player who wrote one of football's most remarkable stories is looking to add one final chapter.
Vardy's rise from the Northern Premier League to Premier League champion with underdogs Leicester City won't ever be forgotten. He has left the Foxes as a 200-goal hero, and the 38-year-old striker says his journey is not over yet.
Mario Pasalic
The Croatia midfielder, 30, has been with Atalanta for seven years - initially on loan, then permanently from 2020. His contract expires on 30 June.
The Serie A club are reportedly keen to retain Pasalic, who spent virtually all of his six seasons as a Chelsea player from 2014 out on loan. He did not make a single appearance for the west London club.
Mason Holgate
The versatile defender is a free agent, following his departure from Everton after 10 years.
The 28-year-old Jamaica international spent 2024/25 at West Bromwich Albion, in the latest of his various loan spells that have also taken him to Southampton and Sheffield United in recent seasons.
Stefan de Vrij
The experienced Inter centre-back, who plays alongside Virgil van Dijk for the Netherlands, has a contract that is due to expire on 30 June 2025.
However, De Vrij is reportedly in talks to extend his stay at the San Siro.
Christian Eriksen
Potential suitors have been alerted since Man Utd announced a new contract has not been offered to the Danish midfielder.
Rangers and Ajax are two of the clubs reported to be keen on the 33-year-old, who won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup during his three years at Old Trafford.
Danny Ings
Although Ings endured a quiet second season at West Ham, making only two starts and 15 substitute appearances in 2024/25, he has the reputation of being a deadly finisher.
Southampton fans certainly witnessed that, as he scored 41 goals in 91 Premier League matches for their club before his move to Aston Villa in 2021.
The 32-year-old's stint at the London Stadium may not have quite gone to plan but the UEFA Europa Conference League winner still has plenty to offer.
Willian
The Brazilian, now 36, has always been an eye-catching player.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal winger left Fulham on a free transfer last summer but, after a few months with Greek club Olympiacos, he returned to Craven Cottage in the January transfer window and made a further 10 Premier League appearances for the club.
Willian was named on Fulham's released list this week.
Ashley Young
He may be turning 40 in July, but Young apparently has no plans to mark his big birthday by retiring.
A Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League winner at Man Utd, Young played 31 times for Everton in 2024/25 and said he feels as fit and fresh as he did during his 20s.
Ben Mee
The 35-year-old defender joined Brentford on a free transfer in July 2022 after 11 years at Burnley.
Mee played 67 times for the Bees in three seasons, scoring five goals, and although he made only two starts in 2024/25, his vast experience will be an attraction.
Lukasz Fabianski
A West Ham stalwart of seven seasons, the 40-year-old Polish goalkeeper is determined to play on.
Set to be forever remembered by supporters for his part in the Hammers' 2022/23 Conference League success, Fabianski made 195 Premier League appearances for the club, keeping 45 clean sheets.
Neal Maupay
Maupay spent two of his three seasons as an Everton player out on loan, firstly to his former club Brentford in 2023/24 and then Marseille in 2024/25, when he scored four goals in Ligue 1.
The 28-year-old forward, who has also played for Brighton in the Premier League, reportedly has suitors in France.
Victor Lindelof
The Sweden captain represented Man Utd for eight years and appeared 194 times in the Premier League.
Although it has been far from the most glorious period in the club's history, the 30-year-old free agent still has FA Cup and EFL Cup success on his CV.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everton paid a reported £20million to sign Doucoure from Watford in September 2020.
But it proved to be a very decent investment, especially when his goal against AFC Bournemouth helped keep the club in the Premier League on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
The 31-year-old midfielder made 166 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 21 times and producing 14 assists, and will no doubt be an attractive proposition. That said, he was included on Everton's retained list - published this week - as a player who has received an offer to stay at the club.
Sergio Reguilon
The Spanish full-back may have only made 56 appearances for Spurs since joining them in 2020, but loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Man Utd and Brentford in the past few years have given the 28-year-old a wealth of experience at the highest level.