Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba among top 15 high-profile free agents as summer window nears close
As the global summer transfer window continued in August 2026, several prominent players remained unattached, including Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba, with Pogba mutually terminating his AS Monaco contract on August 19, 2026.
Clubs across Europe have spent heavily this summer to reshape squads, with Manchester City and Chelsea prominent in the market and both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid investing substantial fees; Elliot Anderson became the most expensive British signing at £116 million to Manchester City, Real Madrid broke their record for Yan Diomande with a deal that can rise to €140 million with add-ons, and Barcelona signed Rodri for €60 million. Teams also pursued low-cost options: Brighton, Brentford and Leeds United added bargain signings such as Tarik Muharemovic and Xavier Schlager. At the same time, a separate wave of notable players have entered free agency after contract expirations or mutual terminations, allowing clubs to recruit without paying transfer fees.
Paul Pogba’s recent status was outlined after a difficult spell: following an 18-month doping ban and a move to AS Monaco he made six Ligue 1 appearances before agreeing a mutual termination of his contract. Jadon Sancho’s career trajectory was also summarised, noting his failed £73 million move to Manchester United, a series of disciplinary issues and a public feud with Erik ten Hag that contributed to him being frozen out, and subsequent loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa that did not lead to permanent deals.
Several veteran defenders and midfielders are listed among free agents. David Alaba left Real Madrid at the end of last season after injuries limited his impact; he made 85 league appearances for Los Blancos and won nine trophies with the club, and "Alaba might be 34 years old," the source noted. Dani Carvajal ended a two-decade association with Real Madrid when his contract expired and is reportedly training at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities in Las Rozas alongside fellow free agent Joselu, while L’Interista reported Inter Milan interest though "there is nothing concrete." Marcelo Brozovic, who made over 300 appearances for Inter Milan before signing for Al Nassr in 2023, made 40 appearances across all competitions last season as Al Nassr won the Saudi Pro League title but was unable to agree a new contract; La Stampa reported he had been offered to Juventus.
Other midfield and attacking names include Raheem Sterling, Anthony Martial and Mauro Icardi. Sterling was frozen out at Chelsea, endured a six-month loan at Arsenal, terminated his Chelsea contract by mutual consent and joined Feyenoord in February where he made eight appearances with no goals and one assist before his contract was not extended; he was last reported coaching children at his RS7 Academy. Martial left Manchester United after nine seasons for AEK Athens on a free transfer, scored seven goals in 16 appearances there, moved to Monterrey on a two-year deal but scored once and departed after one season. Mauro Icardi scored 77 goals in 134 appearances for Galatasaray after an initial loan from Paris Saint-Germain and remains a free agent after talks for a new contract broke down; Sky Sport reported a contract with Lazio looks imminent.
The list also includes Riyad Mahrez, Dani Ceballos, Ismael Bennacer, Yves Bissouma, Leon Goretzka, Fabinho and Franck Kessie. Mahrez joined Al Ahli and scored 37 goals with 46 assists across three seasons, winning back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles before his contract was terminated after the FIFA World Cup 2026 and he was reportedly a target for AS Roma and several Saudi clubs. Ceballos terminated his Real Madrid contract by mutual consent a year early, having made 135 league appearances for Madrid and 49 appearances during a loan at Arsenal, with Napoli said to have made a contract offer while Juventus and Real Betis are also interested. Bennacer made 178 appearances for AC Milan and helped them to the 2021-22 Scudetto but lost his starting spot due to a knee injury, spent last season on loan at Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb and terminated his contract by mutual consent; Fabrizio Romano reported Qatari side Al-Gharrafa are leading candidates to sign him. Yves Bissouma’s time at Tottenham was affected by off-field and injury problems, he was reportedly sanctioned several times by Thomas Frank for "persistent lateness," made 11 appearances last season and is the subject of reported interest from Brighton, Coventry City and Trabzonspor. Goretzka and Bayern Munich agreed not to extend his contract after eight years; his role had been reduced under Vincent Kompany and he said he wanted to "play really competitive football abroad again," reportedly turning down an offer from MLS side Chicago Fire. Fabinho left Al Ittihad after the club chose not to renew his contract and the player reportedly rejected a reduced offer after making 83 appearances and serving as captain, leading the club to a domestic double in 2024-25. Kessie left Al Ahli after three seasons in which he scored 26 goals and registered 14 assists in 119 appearances and reportedly rejected a new contract amid interest from Juventus and Al Ittihad.
With the summer transfer window set to close at the end of August, these free agents — led in reputation and market impact in this list by Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba — face a narrow window to secure new clubs before the deadline.