THE January transfer window is over with Premier League clubs now unable to bring in any new faces until July 1.
That is, unless they’re willing to take a punt on a free agent.
The best available free agent XI following the January transfer window
Diego Costa is the biggest name still in free agency after he was released by Atletico Madrid on December 29.
The likes of Jack Wilshere, Shinji Kagawa and Mario Mandzukic all found news homes having been unattached from last summer until January.
But there are a host of former Premier League winners, Champions League conquerors and useful veterans still up for grabs.
We take a look at the best XI…
GK – Danijel Subasic
Ex-Monaco and Croatia man Subasic is a big-name free agent in the goalkeeping departmentCredit: Getty – Contributor
THE Croatian stopper was a key cog in Monaco’s incredible rise to the top of French football in the 2010s.
After joining in 2012, Subasic immediately helped them gain promotion to Ligue 1 after winning the second-tier crown.
The 44-cap international was also a crucial part of the team who famously beat Paris Saint-Germain to the 2016-17 Ligue 1 crown – and was named Goalkeeper of the Year that season.
He was also in goal as Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage.
However, Subasic, 36, was released last summer after eight-and-a-half years at the club and has been unable to find a new club since.
RB – Cuco Martina
Ex-Southampton and Everton right-back is currently unattachedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
THE Curacao right-back, 31, played 45 Premier League games across five years at Southampton and Everton.
But after joining the Toffees, Martina was shipped off on loan to Stoke and Feyenoord.
Martina was released last summer and is still unattached.
CB – Ezequiel Garay
Ex-Real Madrid and Valencia ace Ezequiel Garay is available on a freeCredit: Reuters
THE former Real Madrid star was released by Valencia after a four-year stint at the end of last season.
The ex-Argentina international, 34, has previously played for Benfica and Zenit in Europe but is still yet to find a new home in 2020-21.
CB – Martin Skrtel
Martin Skrtel is available for nothing with the ex-Liverpool man currently injuredCredit: Reuters
THE Liverpool icon and 104-cap Slovakia veteran is currently a free agent after he was released by Istanbul Basaksehir having suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Skrtel, 36, spent nine years at Anfield before stints at Fenerbahce and Atalanta.
Clubs can now sign the centre-back on a free with a view to having him fit and ready for the 2021-22 season.
LB – Pape Souare
Ex-Crystal Palace star Pape Souare is also available on a free transferCredit: Getty – Contributor
FORMER Crystal Palace defender Souare has been without a club since leaving Troyes last summer.
Prior to that, the Senegal international, 30, had spent four years at Selhurst Park having joined from Lille.
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CM – Ramires
Former Chelsea man Ramires is a free agent after leaving PalmeirasCredit: Reuters
THE Brazilian midfielder, 33, is a free agent after leaving Brazilian giants Palmeiras in November just one year into a four-year deal.
Prior to that, Ramires spent six years at Chelsea – helping them to the 2011-12 Champions League title and 2014-15 Premier League crown – before his shock move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.
CM – Joe Ledley
Joe Ledley is a free agent after his spell in Australia came to an endCredit: Rex Features
THE 77-cap Wales international, 34, is a free agent after his short-term deal at A-League side Newcastle Jets expired.
Prior to his stint Down Under, Ledley turned out for Cardiff, Celtic, Crystal Palace and Derby before a brief stint at Charlton.
RW – Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge has been without a club since March 2020 after being released by TranzonsporCredit: Getty Images – Getty
THE former Liverpool striker has been a free agent since being let go by Turkish side Trabzonspor in March 2020.
Ex-England star Sturridge, 31, had been on the radar of Sheffield United last summer – but they opted to bring in Rhian Brewster instead.
In September, Sturridge was seen training with eighth-tier Kidsgrove Athletic in a bid to stay fit.
The ex-Chelsea and Manchester City star later revealed he would pay ‘any amount’ of money to finally be free of his injury woes.
But he too is still yet to find a new club with his career on the line.
LW – Ahmed Musa
Ahmed Musa hasn’t played since being released by Al-Nassr in OctoberCredit: Reuters
MUSA joined Leicester in the summer immediately after their famous 2015-16 Premier League title win.
But after struggling mightily, Musa was loaned to his former club CSKA Moscow before being sold to Al-Nassr for good.
Musa, still only 28, was released by the Saudi Arabian side in October and has been unable to find a new suitor since.
ST – Wilfried Bony
Wilfried Bony is a free agent after his release from Al-IttihadCredit: Reuters
AFTER starring for Swansea between 2013 and 2015, the Ivorian has found it hard to settle at any one club.
Bony, 32, moved to Manchester City but scored just six Premier League goals before being loaned to Stoke and sold back to Swansea for good.
With just three league goals in two years back in Wales, Bony was released in 2019 and began training with Newport.
In 2020, he joined Saudi side Al-Ittihad but had his contract terminated by mutual consent after just ten months and has been a free agent since November.
ST – Diego Costa
Diego Costa was released by Atletico Madrid in December and is available for nothingCredit: PA:Press Association
THE Spaniard’s third spell at Atletico Madrid was ended on December 29, 2020 with the club keen to make room for Moussa Dembele, who joined on loan from Lyon.
Costa, still only 32, was already behind Luis Suarez and Alvaro Morata in the pecking order at the LaLiga leaders.
The former Chelsea star is now able to link up with any club for free – with an unnamed ‘top six’ Premier League club rumoured to be interested after he turned down a £43,000-a-week deal at Trabzonspor.
Alexandre Pato, Oumar Niasse and Yaya Sanogo are just three other big-name strikers still up for grabs.
The top Premier League transfers from deadline day
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
