The summer transfer window was long and tiring, with clubs splashing the big bucks to get their hands on the finest players, however, not all teams have banked on their big finances to attract talent and have signed some talent on a free transfer.
Each season, several players run out of contract with their clubs due to various reasons. Allowing potential suitors to discuss terms with the player and their entourage directly, skipping the headache of agreeing on terms with a club and most importantly, paying for the transfer.
This summer, too, Premier League teams have executed some shrewd transfers that could pay massive dividends as the season progresses. At Essential Football, we have rated the 5 free agent football players signed by Premier League sides this summer.
Jordan Henderson
The somewhat under the radar signing of the former Liverpool captain comes in first on the bargain list as he could prove to be the coup of the all the free agent deals.
Henderson will be staying put at Brentford for two seasons and may be a massive influence at the GTech Stadium for Keith Andrews, given the PL title and UEFA Champions League wins on his CV. There is no substitute for the experience he can bring after the loss of Christian Norgard to Arsenal.
The former Liverpool captain makes his return to the Premier League after below-par spells in the Saudi League and with Ajax. He was linked with a return to Sunderland but that did not materialise
The 35-year-old will be earning £50,000 per week in the Premier League, a staggering contrast to his £350,000 per week contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
Given his continued selection for England it seems Henderson could well be on the way to the FIFA World Cup in 2026. So he will be competing at the highest level which Brentford clearly like and the club does not make many bad transfer decisions. Even so Brentford are still one of the relegation favourites based on the key players they have lost.
Old Club Ajax
New Club Brentford
Salary Per Week £50,000
Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson has the potential to be a massive steal as a free agent and therefore comes second in this list. Wilson secured his move to West Ham United after his contract ran out at Newcastle United and was West Ham’s 2nd free agent signing.
The player has signed a one-year contract at the Hammers, with a basic weekly wage that his heavily incentivised on performance. His weekly wage is reportedly a meagre £6,000 – a bargain in these crazy financial times for an England international.
The consideration which makes the striker such a gamble and perhaps not the ultimate bargain is the question mark over his recent injury record, having missed the bulk of last season.
His fitness issues over recent seasons mean the appearances he makes cannot be relied upon hence the performance based contract he signed but he is capable of scoring 10-15 goals which would be a big boost to the Hammers hence his rating.
Old Club Newcastle United
New Club West Ham United
Salary Per Week £6,000
Kyle Walker-Peters
West Ham United dipped into the free agent market early on in the window as they secured the services of Kyle Walker-Peters after Southampton did not choose to extend his stay at St Mary’s Stadium.
Walker-Peters makes 3rd on this list as he is a quality performer who has always been under-rated. Across spells at Spurs and Southampton the full-back continued to improve and he is likely to prove a bargain given his solid injury record and consistent level of performance.
The London Stadium team have signed a three-year contract with Walker-Peters, in which the defender will earn £75,000 per week which .
Old Club Southampton
New Club West Ham United
Salary Per Week £75,000
Reinildo Mandava
Reinildo Mandava makes 4th on the bargain list but could prove to be a higher rating given he is a bit of an unknown quantity in the Premier League.
The Mozambican left-back joined Sunderland on a free transfer after his contract ran out at the Metropolitano Stadium with Atletico Madrid.
His new contract at the Stadium of Light runs until 2027, earning him £65,000 per week.
Reinildo’s experience playing in one of La Liga’s biggest teams under the guidance of Diego Simeone should help him perform for Sunderland, who are returning to the top flight after eight years. Sunderland transfer news has come thick and fast this summer with the signing of Granit Xhaka a real coup for the club.
Old Club Atletico Madrid
New Club Sunderland
Salary Per Week £65,000
Victor Lindelöf
Aston Villa, under the tutelage of Unai Emery, were already keeping tabs on the situation of the central defender. The Villans were quick to enter negotiations and seal the transfer of Lindelöf.
The Swedish defender arrived at Old Trafford in 2017 and was allowed to leave the club as a free agent this summer. Due to his wages and his recent injury record he makes 5th on the bargain list but could prove to be a valuable addition if Emery can get the best out of him.
The defender has penned a two-year deal at Villa Park that will earn him £120,000 per week. The defender’s years of experience in the English top flight would come in handy for the Spanish boss.
Old Club Manchester United
New Club Aston Villa
Salary Per Week £120,000
READ: You can also see the free agents still available to be signed including some quality operators with Premier League experience.
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