With the Premier League season entering its final stretch, focus is now turning to the summer transfer window.
Many clubs will be looking for a bargain free transfer and there are plenty to choose from. We’ve put together a team of the best players who look set to leave their Premier League clubs on a free in June.
It’s our Free Transfer XI, and, it’s really quite good (we said quite).
1. Gerhard Tremmel (Swansea)
At 36 years old, he’s not what some would term a spring chicken, but Tremmel could prove a useful acquisition for a newly-promoted side.
Tremmel has played second fiddle to Michel Vorm and then Lukasz Fabianski during his four years at Swansea, but has performed well when called upon in the cup competitions and was in goal when the Swans beat Bradford in the Capital One Cup final two years ago. We’ve decided that counts for more than it probably should.
2. Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
England’s first-choice right-back at the World Cup is no longer a first-team regular for Liverpool, and he looks almost certain to end his six-year spell at Anfield this summer.
Johnson, who has 54 England caps, is on a bumper deal at the Merseyside club and there seems to be little appetite to keep him on the books.
3. Luke Garbutt (Everton)
Everton have been doing everything they can to tie this promising young defender down to a new deal, but he is yet to put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old has played nine times for Everton this year and faces a big battle to displace Leighton Baines so he may fancy a challenge elsewhere.
4. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Named Arsenal captain last summer, but Arteta has not played for the Gunners since November due to injury and it’s hard to see him displacing the in-form Francis Coquelin on his return.
May be 33, but still has a good eye for a pass and is also a free-kick specialist.
5. Kolo Toure (Liverpool)
Another fringe player at Liverpool who is still to extend his contract.
Toure kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet with an excellent display when Real Madrid came to Anfield in November, but the 34-year-old Ivorian lacks consistency and has made some terrible gaffes in his time at the club.
6. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
Vlaar performed so well at the World Cup that his omission from the team of the tournament raised a few eyebrows, especially when Thiago Silva was selected ahead of him.
Injury has restricted the Dutchman to 16 appearances for Villa this season. At 30, he has at least a couple of years left in him yet and will surely be courted by other top-flight teams.
7. James Milner (Manchester City)
Probably the most high-profile free agent available this summer, Milner has 15 years’ worth of top-flight experience to his name and 53 England caps.
Milner is both tenacious and creative, either in the centre of midfield or out wide, and he is still a year off his 30th birthday.
8. Tom Cleverley (Manchester United)
Named captain for a tour match against Roma last summer, Cleverley clearly thought he had a future under new United manager Louis van Gaal “I think I’m going to be his type of player,” he said. But alas, that did not prove to be the case.
The 25-year-old was farmed out on loan to Aston Villa, where he has played 30 times. He is not wanted back at United. Villa and Everton are keen to sign the England international.
9. Danny Ings (Burnley)
One of a number of young English strikers pushing for national selection after scoring nine goals for Burnley this season.
Rumoured to be of interest to Manchester United and their neighbours City, as well as David Moyes’ Real Sociedad.
10. James Wilson (Manchester United)
Promoted to the first-team squad last summer following a fairytale debut under Ryan Giggs against Hull.
The 19-year-old has played 16 times under Van Gaal, but has struggled to get on the bench recently and, despite rumours of a new deal being close, the United academy product is yet to agree terms.
11. Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle)
Battled back from testicular cancer to return to the Newcastle squad last month, but is no longer wanted by his club.
Will be 32 in the summer, but still a good operator and would prove an inspirational figure to younger players around him.
Source: SNAPPA
