Every summer, millions of footballers around the world are left without a club for a whole host of different reasons.
And it just so happens that the long list of players who are currently out of contract ahead of the new season features multiple Champions League, Premier League and Serie A winners.
Although the FIFA World Cup is taking centre stage, teams all over the globe are working around the clock to get their squads in order for the coming campaign, and it's fair to say there is certainly a bargain or too to be found in the free agent market.
Record Sport has compiled a full World XI of players currently available, including a legendary midfield maestro who is the most decorated player in Real Madrid history and a forward who broke all kinds of records in the red half of Liverpool.
Goalkeeper - Yann Sommer
Switzerland hero Yann Sommer will turn 38 in December, but the veteran still has more than a lot to offer to a top team.
After successful spells with FC Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach, the shot-stopper headed to Italy in 2023 to join Inter Milan. In his first season, Sommer was named in the Serie A Team of the Year as the Nerazzurri romped to the Scudetto.
And he picked up his second league winner's medal at San Siro last season as Cristian Chivu's men ran away with another title, missing just five Serie A matches in total.
It's now been confirmed that Sommer has moved on at the end of his contract at Inter, but don't expect him to be unattached for long.
Estimated value: £2million
Right Back - Zeki Celik
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Zeki Celik(Image: Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/REX/Shutterstock)
We go to Italy's top league once again to find a very fine full back currently without a team.
Zeki Celik is a free agent after his deal at Roma expired, although talks are reportedly ongoing to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico. The defender helped the Giallorossi secure their return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years last season and featured for Turkey at the World Cup before they were knocked out in the group stage.
He doesn't turn 30 until next February and will serve as a great option to potential suitors, with his ability to play at the heart of the defence and on the left-hand side on top of his traditional role as a right full back.
Estimated value: £13million
Centre Back - Malang Sarr
Once an expensive acquisition at Chelsea, 27-year-old centre half Malang Saar has just left Ligue 1 side Lens at the end of his contract.
After breaking through at Nice, Sarr landed a big-money move to Stamford Bridge six years ago but ended up making just 21 appearances for the Blues in four years. He joined up with Lens in 2024 and was part of the side that lifted the Coupe de France for the first time in their history last season, also finishing as runners-up to league champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Sarr is not even in his prime and is sure to have a wealth of offers on the table from far and wide.
Estimated value: £10million
Centre Back - John Stones
John Stones has been a stalwart in Manchester City's trophy-laden spell over the last 10 years. But the England defender has bowed out after racking up nearly 300 appearances at the Etihad.
Stones was used fleetingly by Pep Guardiola in the Spaniard's final season at the helm, and it's not too much of a surprise that his contract has run down.
But the 32-year-old has done it all in the game and his calm and composed demeanour on the ball would make him a very ideal acquisition in the back line - or even in midfield where he was often deployed by Guardiola.
Estimated value: £11million
Left Back - Oleksandr Zinchenko
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Oleksandr Zinchenko(Image: Getty Images)
Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko is available after his short-term deal with Ajax ran out. The versatile full back only joined Ajax on a permanent transfer from Arsenal in January but made just two appearances before a horror ACL injury ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign.
Zinchenko, 29, already has four Premier League winners' medals and 75 caps for his country on his CV and will be confident of being picked up by a top team once he is fit and firing again.
Estimated value: £7million
Central Midfielder - Leon Goretzka
Bayern Munich icon Leon Goretzka called time on a glorious eight-year spell at the Allianz Arena last month, which saw him rack up a stunning 15 winners' medals.
The 31-year-old lined up for Germany in their shock penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the last 32 of the World Cup on Tuesday night and has already been linked with a move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. Watch this space.
Estimated value: £12million
Central Midfielder - Luka Modric
When we think of the classiest players ever to grace the game, Luka Modric immediately springs to mind. Real Madrid's most decorated star swapped the Bernabeu for San Siro with AC Milan 12 months ago, and despite his advancing years, put in a number of stellar displays for the Rossoneri across the season. The 40-year-old has just passed the 200 cap mark for Croatia by participating in his fifth World Cup but has hinted that he is almost ready to hang up his boots.
However, should he continue to play on, clubs will be lining up to recruit the maestro if he opts to move on from Milan.
Estimated value: £3million
Central Midfielder - Casemiro
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Casemiro(Image: DeFodi Images/Shutterstock)
Another big name in action at this summer's World Cup is also currently unattached - veteran midfielder Casemiro. The 34-year-old bid an emotional farewell to Manchester United at the end of last season, enjoying a terrific final campaign for the Red Devils after some hit-and-miss displays in the previous three years. Casemiro is part of the Brazil squad gunning for their fifth World title and scored in their last 32 win over Japan.
Although he has shown signs of weariness in the tournament would still be a very astute signing for any team and recent reports state that he could team up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in the MLS.
Estimated value: £5million
Right Winger - Mohamed Salah
Arguably the biggest player currently available on a free transfer is Mohamed Salah.
The Egypt captain's final season at Liverpool petered out after he terminated his contract a year early, but he leaves Anfield as a serious shout for the best footballer ever to pull on the famous red jersey.
The 34-year-old has lost the explosive pace that shot him to world stardom but his clinical finishing and eye for a pass in the final third still make him a very dangerous player when he is at it. Talk of a switch to the Saudi Pro League has never gone away but are a leading European club willing to take a punt on the 'Egyptian King?
Estimated value: £21million
Striker - Dusan Vlahovic
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Dusan Vlahovic(Image: Getty Images)
Juventus thought they had hit the jackpot when they forked out nearly £70million to sign Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in January 2022.
But things haven't quite gone to plan for the big Serbian since then. Despite registering a credible 68 goals in 168 matches in Turin, Vlahovic has fallen down the pecking order under several coaches and has not been offered a new deal by Juve chiefs.
The player's agent is said to have offered the 26-year-old's services to a number of stellar clubs including Chelsea and Milan, although his wage demands could make things tricky to get a deal over the line.
Estimated value: £34million
Left Winger - Julian Brandt
Before Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, Julian Brandt was seen as Germany's next superstar. And while the attacking midfielder/winger has enjoyed successful spells with Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, there is still very much a sense of 'what could have been' with the 30-year-old.
Brandt won the most recent of his 48 caps for Die Mannschaft two years ago but put in a strong showing in his final season at Dortmund, banging in 11 goals.
He has already been linked with La Liga side Real Betis, while Leeds United are also reportedly keen.
Estimated value: £14million
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A World XI of players who are currently available on free transfers
Combined estimated value: £132million