Best XI available on free transfers this summer including PSG star Kylian Mbappe
It may only be November, but European football's biggest clubs will no doubt already be plotting their moves for the summer transfer window of 2024.
While of course there is a window between now and then coming in January, fewer deals take place in the middle of the season when teams fight tooth and nail to not lose their best players, as well as no one being out of contract at the mid-way point of a campaign.
The situation changes drastically in the summer when a number of players reach the end of their respective contracts and are free to move wherever they wish without costing so much as £1 in transfer fees. With that being said, Mirror Football has taken a look at the best starting XI made up of players who will be free agents next summer.
Goalkeeper - Andriy Lunin
Andriy Lunin is believed to be on the verge of joining CelticHAVE YOUR SAY!Who is the best free agent available next summer? Comment below
Lunin has been on the books at Real Madrid since 2018, but oh so rarely features in any competition. Over the course of five years, the shot-stopper has been called upon just 21 times in half a decade.
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Out of contract at the end of this season, it is likely that he will call time on his Santiago Bernabeu stay in search of regular first-team football. At just 24 years of age, his best years are certainly ahead of him.
Scottish giants Celtic are believed to be in pole position to sign the Ukrainian, which would spell bad news for current No.1 Joe Hart. His wife Anastasia recently offered up a transfer hint, telling the Daily Record: "If there's a club that will let him play I think we will leave. A club where he will be allowed to play then of course we are ready to move."
Right-back - Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has less than a year left on his Manchester United contract (Getty Images)In a much-maligned Manchester United defence, Wan-Bissaka is actually one of the more reliable figures the Red Devils can call upon. Despite this, those at the top of the club's hierarchy seem reluctant to offer him a new deal.
United officials have previously been in negotiations with Wan-Bissaka over extending his stay, but those conversations amounted to nothing. As a result, the club could seek to activate a one-year extension to buy them more negotiating time. If that doesn't materialise, there is unlikely to be any shortage of potential suitors for the right-back.
Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe
Presnel Kimpembe has not featured for Paris Saint-Germain at all this season due to injuryThe idea of anyone landing any Paris Saint-Germain defender on a free is surprising, let alone one as established as 28-year-old France international Presnel Kimpembe.
The centre-back has been in the French capital for 18 years, emerging out of the Ligue 1 champions' academy, but has been plagued by injury in recent months. Kimpember ruptured his Achilles back in February and has not been seen on the pitch since. Out of contract come the end of the current campaign, it is looking increasingly likely that PSG will not offer him another.
Centre-back - Mario Hermoso
Mario Hermoso has been linked with an exit from Atletico Madrid despite playing every game this seasonAtletico Madrid ace Hermoso has been the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham since making the move to Diego Simeone's side in 2019.
Despite the fact that the defender has been an ever-present in the La Liga giants starting line-up this season, featuring in all of Atletico's league games so far, the growing belief is that Hermoso will not be offered a new deal.
This has put a number of clubs across the continent on red alert, though Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli are also keeping tabs on his situation and could try to tempt him into moving to the Middle East.
Left-back - Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof has played as a left-back for Man United in Luke Shaw's absence this term (AP)There is not exactly a plethora of left-backs set to become available on a free next summer, but United centre-back Victor Lindelof has played plenty of games in the position.
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The Sweden international is one of a number of United players nearing the end of his contract and with that in mind, Lindelof is allowed communication with foreign clubs to try and agree a pre-contract arrangement before becoming a free agent if he so wishes.
The Old Trafford faithful have seen Lindelof deputise for first-choice left-back Luke Shaw on more than a few occasions this term and while it doesn't come as naturally to him as his usual position, he doesn't look out of place. His versatility is surely a positive in the eyes of other clubs on the market.
Central midfield - Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot is once again being linked with Man UnitedThe France international spends every window being linked with a Premier League club only to stay at Juventus and could finally be leaving Turin next summer. Rabiot has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to United for the past two seasons.
At long last, his switch to Old Trafford could finally be on the cards as Erik ten Hag mulls over the idea of either signing Rabiot on a cut-price fee in January, or waiting till the end of the season. If the Dutchman opts for the latter, he risks missing out given United are not the only club keen on Rabiot.
Central midfield - Piotr Zielinski
Piotr Zielinski is likely to leave Napoli come the end of the campaign (Ivan Romano/Getty Images)One of Serie A's lesser-discussed gems, Zielinski has long been a fan-favourite among the Napoli faithful, particularly after last season's Scudetto glory. However, as things stand he remains out of contract come the summer.
The Poland international very nearly called it quits the summer just gone, amid intense interest from a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League. However, Zielinski opted to remain at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for at least one more term. Don't be surprised to see him on the move this time around though.
Central midfield - Wilfred Ndidi
Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi is the subject of interest from BarcelonaThe Leicester City midfielder was once touted as the next N'Golo Kante and linked with the Premier League's biggest sides but instead ended up staying with the Foxes as they dropped back down to the Championship.
Ndidi remains a regular at the King Power, though is currently sidelined with a muscle injury he sustained last month. Remarkably, there are rumours reporting that Barcelona are plotting a surprise January swoop - or at the very least striking a pre-contract agreement with the Nigeria international.
For now, Ndidi's main focus will be on helping restore Leicester's Premier League status and only then may he fancy riding off into the Camp Nou sunset.
Right-wing - Nico Williams
Nico Williams has admirers in the Premier League (Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images)Young Spain international and Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams seems destined for a Premier League move sooner rather than later and Aston Villa are thought to be keeping a close eye on the winger as he nears the end of his deal.
A top-tier provider, Williams has five assists in 10 La Liga games so far this term and could be quite the threat when teaming up with Villa's main man Ollie Watkins
In previous years, clubs are believed to have approached Bilbao over a potential deal only to be met with an asking price north of £50m. Now, the Basque-based outfit could lose him for nothing at all.
Striker - Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata has been linked with a Saudi switch (Getty Images)Ask any Chelsea, Juventus or Real Madrid fan what they think of Alvaro Morate and the answer is unlikely to be anything overly complimentary, but the Spain international has something that the biggest clubs clearly love.
Now at Atletico Madrid, Morata has actually enjoyed an incredibly promising start to the La Liga season with seven goals and one assist from 11 games. That means the forward is only six goals shy of his entire tally from last campaign.
The Spaniards are yet to offer him a new contract and much like most talented players over the age of 30, interest from Saudi Arabia has been reported.
Left-wing - Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain this summer (Getty Images)The big one. The free transfer to end all free transfers. It is looking like arguably the best player on the planet Kylian Mbappe will be up for grabs for nothing (apart from some eye-watering wages no doubt) come the summer as his Paris Saint-Germain contract nears its end.
The fact that he has not extended his stay has angered club officials, who are furious at the prospect of handing Mbappe over without any transfer fee in return. Real Madrid have long been the club touted with the forward's signature, but their precarious financial situation could open the door for another club.
Mbappe is in the envious position of being able to sit back, enjoy his summer and watch the offers from the biggest clubs around pour in.
Full XI of best free agents available in 2024 (4-3-3): Lunin; Wan-Bissaka, Hermoso, Kimpembe, Lindelof; Rabiot, Zielinski, Ndidi; Williams, Morata, Mbappe
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