World Cup free agents: Players aiming to impress suitors this summer
A number of high-profile international stars are currently free agents and will be hoping to use the World Cup as a showcase to find a new club
The World Cup is football’s greatest showcase and often a platform for players to impress a larger audience. It is a stage where reputations are made or consolidated and it can also be a chance for players to prove they can still do it at this level.
This summer a number of high-profile stars arrive at the tournament without knowing what club they will be playing for next season. In this article, we look at the some of the top players at the World Cup who will be free agents this summer.
Casemiro, 34 (Brazil)
Manchester United have confirmed the Brazilian veteran is on their release list this summer and the 34-year-old will be seeking a new club. Having featured in 34 Premier League games last season, he will feel he can still do it at the top level; however the strongest interest seems to be coming from MLS.
Mohamed Salah, 33 (Egypt)
The Egyptian star agreed a deal earlier in the year to cut his Anfield stay short by a year after falling our with then manager Arne Slot. The 33-year-old is expected to have plenty of suitors and that means he can dictate his terms: he will be looking for a lucrative long-term deal and an ambitious project.
Bernardo Silva, 31 (Portugal)
Perhaps the hottest ticket of all this summer in the free agent market, the Portugal midfielder has been linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 31-year-old is also receiving interest from Atletico Madrid and a host of other clubs as he takes his time to decide his next move after leaving Manchester City.
Daichi Kamada, 29 (Japan)
The Crystal Palace midfielder has an offer to remain at the club but is holding off on making a decision. Having been brought to South London by Oliver Glasner, who coached him at Eintracht Frankfurt, it seems Kamada may also be moving on this summer and an impressive World Cup could help him land a big move.
Leon Goretzka, 31 (Germany)
The experienced Bayern Munich midfielder seems to have lost his starting spot for club and country and so seems set to seek a new challenge for the new campaign. Reports suggested he was close to a deal with Milan but that now appears to have fallen through.
John Stones, 32 (England)
The six-time Premier League champion should have plenty of options as he moves on from Manchester City after a decade. He has been linked with a host of teams, from Coventry City to Bayern Munich.
Memphis Depay, 32 (Netherlands)
The former Manchester United and Barcelona attacker has endured a difficult season at Corinthians and is expected to seek a new challenge when his contract expires at the end of July. If he can stay injury-free and help the Dutch to a memorable summer, he could remind clubs he still has the ability to contribute at a high level and earn himself a move he might not have managed without a World Cup.
Franck Kessié, 29 (Ivory Coast)
The former Milan and Barcelona midfielder has turned down a new contract with Saudi club Al-Ahli and may be keen on returning to European football this summer. He has attracted interest from Juventus, amongst others.
David Alaba, 33 (Austria)
The Austrian captain will be 34 by the time the tournament ends, but he can still expect some major offers this summer. Milan have been credited with interest and his experience could draw the attention of a number of other clubs.
Luka Modrić, 40 (Croatia)
One player who could be leaving Milan is Luka Modrić, who will be competing in his fifth World Cup this summer. The Croatian midfielder has the option to trigger an extension on the one-year-deal he penned with the Rossoneri last summer, but it looks increasingly likely he will move on. The question is whether he has one more big move left or if he will look to return home.
