Top five free agents available in summer 2020

Some of the players in the list are ever present for their respective teams.

The coronavirus pandemic could possibly overturn the complete dynamics of the upcoming summer transfer window. As the clubs and the leagues might have suffered grave financial losses, it would also arguably compel them to work on a limited, shoestring budget. Hence, the importance of free agents increases in 2020 as these players add a different value to a club and the money that would ideally have to be spent on their transfer fee is saved too.

Fortunately for these clubs, a whole lot of players possessing splendid quality could be available for free this summer. Without further ado, here we take a brief look at arguably the top five free agents footballers who could be on the move in the summer.

5. David Silva

David Silva has been absolutely unswerving for Manchester City ever since arrival at the club almost a decade ago. His dynamic creativity at the middle of the park has been vital to their success. Silva has particularly grown into his role ever since Pep Guardiola took over the managerial duties.

He was critical at the centre of the field in their successive league victories from 2017/18 onwards. The finesse that he exhibits with his sweet, quick footwork and the ability to create goal-scoring opportunities at will is critical in Guardiola’s setup.

Having scored 57 goals and registered 90 assists in his 301 Premier League appearances so far, time might have come for Silva to leave City as his contract expires at the end of the current season.

Last year, Silva confirmed that he will run down his contract with City and hence that could mean that he would see a number of suitors chasing him once the football transfer market commences.

4. Willian

The Brazilian forward has relished a fairly fruitful time with Chelsea but his tenure with the Blues might just be up in the coming summer.

Willian's performances might have dipped in the past few years, but he continues to be an industrious option from the flank for the Blues. However, with his contract ending at the end of the season, there seems to be little chances of the club wanting to extend Willian's stay with them.

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In the 2019/20 campaign, he has played 28 times in the Premier League and scored five goals. Along with that, he has also registered five assists and boasts of a fairly decent defensive contribution too. In totality though, Willian has made 226 appearances in the competition and bagged 33 goals in addition to 31 assists. Frank Lampard has come in with a reputation of backing younger talents to emerge through the ranks.

Accordingly, Willian has yielded justifiable results in accordance with the potential that he possesses. However, the club might just look to induct a better, more talented alternative for the role that the 31-year-old carries out currently.

3. Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen has become synonymous with Tottenham Hotspur due to his long association with the North London-based club. However, the Belgian defender is into the final year of his contract and despite Toby Alderweireld having penned an extension, there is no news of similar sort with respect to Vertonghen.

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The 32-year-old has made a whopping 228 appearances for Spurs in the league over the years. The defender has aided his team to maintain 71 clean sheets, tackled the opposition on 419 instances and also recorded 1327 clearances. Vertonghen could be a valuable addition to the defensive line of any team, considering the experience that he boasts of and the quality of performances that he could still present.

At his age, the former Ajax player still has a fairly good two-three seasons of competitive football left in him. Especially when available as a free agents, a number of suitors could be in line to bag his signature if Spurs do not react swiftly enough and keep hold of the centre-back.

2. Edinson Cavani

The mercurial Uruguayan striker has been rock solid for Paris Saint Germain whilst leading the forward line.

For a better part of his seven-year long stint with the club, he was the focal point of attack for the team. However, with the emergence of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on either side of him, Edinson Cavani’s relevance in the club has gradually decreased. He has scored four goals and notched an assist so far in the Ligue 1 this season.

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In 2018-19 season, he had bagged 18 goals and five assists. Despite having been a consistent performer, probably both the club and he would choose against renewing his existing contract that concludes post the present campaign.

With his brilliant goal-scoring instincts, he could find a place in quite a few good clubs. Moreover, as a free agents, there are few better options for forwards than Cavani in the transfer market.

1. Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens has spent seven seasons at Napoli but as things stand now, he could look for a way out in the summer. The 32-year-old has been a dutiful servant for the club, coming up with fantastic performances and goal-returns on a consistent basis. This season, he played 21 times in the Serie A and scored six goal.

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On the other hand, he set up four other goals for his teammates and still remains to be a dynamic presence in the forward line. In the UEFA Champions League, Mertens has nicked in six goals from seven matches itself. With 226 appearances overall in the Italian league, he has notched 90 goals. The 2016-17 season was the most productive one for him, where Mertens scored an extremely impressive 28 goals from 35 matches in the Serie A.

Whilst the reasons for his apparently imminent departure might be unknown, it goes without saying that the forward would be an asset for whichever club he decides to join. Mertens has gone through the rigors of top-level professional football, and would be chased by clubs from all quarters if he indeed becomes available in the transfer market as a free agent.