We are now down to the dregs of footballers available on a free with the season well underway. Anybody desperate?

We have ranked by ‘value’ according to Transfermarkt but that’s just a guide.

1) David De Gea (Manchester United)
Gone from Old Trafford with no fanfare after 12 years and we’re past the stage where he is posting training videos on social media to remind everybody that he is still alive. Real Betis might have taken note, though, since they are said to be willing to offer him a new start.

2) Jesse Lingard (Nottingham Forest)
Still training with West Ham, which started as a favour but ended with him being ‘assessed’ as a candidate for a short-term deal. But West Ham’s reluctance suggests it might not be a done deal.

3) Xeka (Rennes)
Portuguese former Lille midfielder who was restricted to just six Ligue Un starts by injury last season. Everton were said to be sniffing.

4) Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)
Does he still actually want to be a footballer? Retirement is apparently an option.

5) Anwar El Ghazi (PSV Eindhoven)
The former Villa man has been released by the Dutch club despite starting the season on the bench. He’s Dutch so he was an option for Manchester United before they distanced themselves.

6) Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Everton)
Ivorian midfielder whose contract was terminated by the Toffees after four injury-riddled years following his £23m move.

7) Reggie Cannon (Boavista)
The 28-times capped US right-back has terminated his contract with the Portuguese club over unpaid wages. Burnley, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City were all said to be interested.

8) Santi Mina (Celta Vigo)
Convicted of a sex attack but is currently appealing the decision, leading to Sampdoria pursuing a deal but then backing out after fan protests.

9) Papu Gomez (Sevilla)
Veteran Argentine winger allowed to leave Spain after finding himself on the bench. Linked with various Italian clubs including Monza.

10) Jose Campana (Levante)
Out with a ruptured cruciate ligament, the Spaniard is not leaving this list any time soon.

11) Roberto Soriano (Bologna)
Nine times capped by Italy but released by Bologna after a serious injury.

12) Almamy Toure (Frankfurt)
After spells with Monaco and Frankfurt, the Malian international is available.

13) Tanguy Coulibaly (Stuttgart)
Coulibaly was at PSG until 2019 before spending four years with Stuttgart.

14) Yann M’Vila (Olympiakos)
Once briefly of Sunderland, the former France midfielder is on the market again.

15) Aylton Boa Morte (Khor Fakkan)
‘Nephew of’ who was last seen in UAE.

16) Souleyman Doumbia (Angers)
Ivory Coast international left-back born in France.

17) Jean Pyerre (Gremio)
Attacking midfielder. Brazilian. What more do you want?

18) Nemanja Jovic (Partizan)
Capped twice by Serbia but without a club.

19) Ismael Silva (Al-Faisaly)
The Brazilian midfielder is a free agent after leaving Saudi just as everyone else was arriving.

20) Joshua Guilavogui (Wolsburg)
Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona are looking at the 32-year-old or Gbamin to reinforce their defensive midfield options. Sheesh.

NEXT: Mbappe and Barca starlets among 20 best players out of contract in 2024…

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