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July is here, which has numerous implications for the world of football. Most importantly, it means many players are now out of contract and will be available for free transfers.
With the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay already signing for new clubs on a free, clubs are scouting the transfer market for other bargain buys. Last season, free agents Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva joined Manchester United and Chelsea respectively and made a tremendous impact.
There are some big names who can freely move to another club now. We look at the five most valuable players free agents (as per Transfermarkt):
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#5 Nikola Maksimovic | €10 million
Nikola Maksimovic cost Napoli nearly £19 million when he signed for them from Torino in 2016.
The Serbia international had done well at Torino previously but has failed to settle at Napoli since his arrival. Maksimovic has largely been utilized as a squad player by the Serie A giants, making 99 appearances in all competitions. He has never truly being a consistent starter for Napoli.
Maksimovic also enjoyed a brief loan spell with Spartak Moscow. Capable of operating as a centre-back and as a right-back, the 29-year old has been linked with moves to West Ham United, Everton and Inter Milan this summer.
#4 Elseid Hysaj | €13 million
Another Napoli player who is now available on a free transfer, Elseid Hysaj's career has seen a considerable decline in the last couple of years.
Unlike Maksimovic, Hysaj was a regular feature in the first XI for Napoli after joining the club in 2015 from Empoli. The Albania international made 223 appearances in all competitions for Napoli and was linked with a big-money move to Chelsea a few seasons ago after some excellent performances for the Serie A side.
However, Hysaj's stock has fallen in recent years. The 27-year old, who is capable of playing in both full-back positions, has been suggested as a possible option for Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan this summer.
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 young players who could become household names after the tournament
#3 Rafael Santos Borre | €17 million
Rafael Santos Borre has not spent a lot of time in Europe. However, he was previously on Atletico Madrid's books and spent a season on loan at Villarreal as well.
The 25-year old has been released from his contract by River Plate, where he made 149 appearances in all competitions. Santos Borre scored 56 goals and provided 18 assists for the Argentine side. He is a versatile forward and was part of the River Plate side which won the Copa Libertadores in 2018.
The Colombia international has been linked with a host of European clubs. Celtic, Rangers, Inter Milan, Lazio and Cagliari have all been suggested as possible destinations for Santos Borre this summer. There have also been rumors that he is closing in on a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma | €60 million
It is highly unlikely that Gianluigi Donnarumma will be a free agent for long, with the goalkeeper set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
A prodigious talent, Donnarumma made his debut for AC Milan in 2015 aged just 16, and became the club's first-choice goalkeeper quite quickly. The 22-year old made 251 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club, but endured a frosty relationship with the club's fans due to his high wage demands.
Donnarumma has been excellent for Italy at the ongoing Euro 2020. The goalkeeper has conceded only one goal in five matches and has helped his side qualify for the quarterfinals.
Ultimately, Donnarumma decided not to sign a new contract with AC Milan. The Serie A giants have also moved quickly to sign Mike Maignan from Lille as his replacement. Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain were among the clubs interested in signing the keeper, and the Italy international has reportedly picked Paris as his next destination.
#1 Lionel Messi | €80 million
Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract expired on June 30th and the superstar forward can now join any club on a free transfer.
However, reliable reports have confirmed that Barcelona have offered Messi a new contract, and the Argentina international is close to accepting the deal. After the 34-year-old announced last summer that he wanted to leave Barcelona, his contract renewal will be a source of comfort for the fans.
Messi is regarded as Barcelona's greatest ever player, and one of the greatest to have played the game. The Argentine was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain a few months ago, but now it seems likely that he will stay with Barcelona.
Also Read: Euro 2020: Ranking the 5 favourites for the Player of the Tournament award
