The Premier League season fast approaches, but a host of high-profile players remain without clubs after running down their contracts. Among them are Mohamed Salah, John Stones and Jadon Sancho – each facing very different futures.
Salah, 34, left Liverpool after his relationship with manager Arne Slot appeared to disintegrate in his final months at Anfield. Widely expected to move to the Saudi Pro League after the World Cup, he has since been linked with Turkish club Besiktas instead.
“Mohamed Salah, John Stones and Jadon Sancho are among high-profile free agents as the Premier League season nears.”
John Stones, 32, departed Manchester City after a decade in which he won 15 major trophies. Despite recent injury issues, the England defender was picked by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup and is now in advanced talks with Inter Milan.
Jadon Sancho, 26, has had a turbulent few years since joining Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in 2021. He spent the last two-and-a-half years on loan, most recently at Aston Villa, and made just 30 Premier League appearances for United. Sancho has reportedly received an offer from Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
Yves Bissouma, 29, made only 11 top-flight appearances last season for Tottenham as he struggled with injury and off-field issues. The Mali midfielder is reportedly keen to stay in the Premier League, with Fulham said to be interested.
Stefan Ortega, 33, made 10 appearances across all competitions for Nottingham Forest last season. A move to Greek side Olympiacos is potentially close.
Bertrand Traore, released by West Ham after their relegation to the Championship following just six months at the club, has been linked with a return to Wolves, where he spent five years.
Elsewhere in the transfer market, Arsenal are willing to move for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior if the opportunity arises, offering the Brazilian the biggest deal in their history. The Gunners are also said to have an 'imminent' transfer for a central defender, with Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa linked as William Saliba faces a period on the sidelines with injury.
Liverpool, under new boss Andoni Iraola, are still looking to add a winger, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola of interest. At Manchester United, the futures of Marcus Rashford and striker Joshua Zirkzee remain uncertain, though the club have already signed midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Brentford are reportedly considering a move for Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, while former Liverpool star Luis Diaz – now at Bayern Munich – has told the Bundesliga club he wants to stay despite interest from Al-Hilal.
With just over a month of the transfer window remaining, the next few weeks will decide where many of these players end up.