Top 10 players who are free agents on transfer deadline day ft. Benzema & Sancho
Some of the biggest names in world football remain unattached.
With European transfer deadline day arriving on Tuesday, September 1, the top-tier clubs are frantically searching to complete big-money signings. Several players have their futures up in the air as clubs are trying to negotiate complex transfer and loan deals.
Tuesday at midnight is when the transfer window shuts in most major football leagues around the world. However, some footballers can still sign for clubs even after the midnight cutoff: free agents.
Some big names remain unattached as we head into transfer deadline day. This year’s free agency pool contains excellent pedigree, including several domestic and continental titles and hundreds of international caps.
Also Read: Top five players who could leave on transfer deadline day
Top 10 free agents on deadline day
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| Sl No. | Player | Last Club |
| 10 | Oleksandr Zinchenko | Ajax |
| 9 | Wilfried Zaha | Charlotte FC/Galatasaray |
| 8 | Yves Bissouma | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 7 | Raheem Sterling | Feyenoord |
| 6 | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid |
| 5 | David Alaba | Real Madrid |
| 4 | Riyad Mahrez | Al Ahli |
| 3 | Paul Pogba | AS Monaco |
| 2 | Karim Benzema | Al Hilal |
| 1 | Jadon Sancho | Aston Villa/Manchester United |
10. Oleksandr Zinchenko
After falling down the pecking order at Arsenal, Oleksandr Zinchenko became a free agent after a short spell in the Eredivisie with Ajax. Injuries limited his impact at De Godenzonen, where he made just two appearances. Although he is currently not strongly linked with any clubs, the 29-year-old can do a good job for EFL Championship clubs.
9. Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha had a highly successful loan spell at Charlotte FC, scoring 13 goals and registering 14 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. With his Galatasaray contract expiring, Zaha is a free agent. He has been training with Crystal Palace.
An emotional return to the Eagles has been ruled out. But there has been serious, late-window interest from both sides of the Atlantic.
8. Yves Bissouma
Tottenham Hotspur confirmed Yves Bissouma’s departure upon the expiration of his contract. Despite his struggles with Spurs, the 29-year-old Mali international remains a capable passer of the ball. He has been linked with a move to Juventus, who failed to sign Franck Kessié, as well as Ajax and Trabzonspor.
7. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling ended his nightmare spell with Chelsea by mutually terminating his contract. The 31-year-old winger became a free agent after a short spell with Dutch side Feyenoord. The former Manchester City forward was recently in the news for crashing his Lamborghini and possessing nitrous oxide.
Links with West Bromwich Albion have cooled down.
6. Dani Carvajal
After 23 years, 27 senior trophies, and a joint-record six European Cups, Dani Carvajal departed Real Madrid at the end of last season. The 34-year-old has been training with Joselu at the Spanish Football Federation’s training facilities in Las Rozas. There have been unverified reports of interest from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Madridista Hoy revealed that the right-back is a priority target for Leganés.
5. David Alaba
Joining Carvajal in the post-Madrid free-agent pool is 34-year-old David Alaba. He left the Santiago Bernabéu after five years and 11 trophies. His time in Madrid was hampered by injury issues.
But he remains an elite defender when fit. He is currently in Germany, waiting to decide on his next move. Nothing concrete has materialised yet.
4. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez became a free agent in July after a highly successful tenure with Al Ahli. The 35-year-old Algerian winger delivered substantial returns during his Saudi Arabian stint, helping the Jeddah-based club win back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles. He has attracted widespread interest from European clubs, including AS Roma.
Meanwhile, Al Shabab and Al Ittihad also remain in touch.
3. Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s career is currently in limbo. His return to football with AS Monaco after a doping-related ban was short-lived. He was let go by the Ligue 1 side.
Despite being just 33 years old, the former FIFA World Cup winner has not attracted interest from any major clubs. Rumours of a move to Brazil have died down. West Ham United have not acted upon their reported interest.
2. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema’s contract with Al Hilal was mutually terminated. The 38-year-old is reportedly considering retirement from football, according to Arab media reports. However, Saudi club Al Ittihad, also owned by PIF, are reportedly pushing to convince the striker to sign with them.
1. Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho enters deadline day as a 26-year-old free agent following the expiration of his Manchester United contract at the end of last season. The winger’s market value has dropped following underwhelming loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa. Currently, his former club Borussia Dortmund are among the leading suitors.
However, the German club are reportedly considering a heavily performance-based deal.
Who is the biggest free agent on transfer deadline day 2026?
Jadon Sancho headlines the list, entering deadline day as a 26‑year‑old free agent after leaving Manchester United.
Is Karim Benzema a free agent on deadline day?
Yes. Karim Benzema mutually terminated his contract with Al Hilal. At 38, he is considering retirement, though Al Ittihad are pushing to sign him.
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