5 most valuable free agents this summer

Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract officially ended on June 30, 2021
Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract officially ended on June 30, 2021

#3 Rafael Santos Borre | €17 million

Rafael Santos Borre in action for River Plate in the Copa de la Liga Profesional 2021
Rafael Santos Borre in action for River Plate in the Copa de la Liga Profesional 2021

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

Gianluigi Donnarumma with Italy
Gianluigi Donnarumma with Italy

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 looks on during a match for Argentina
Lionel Messi looks on during a match for Argentina

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

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Edited by Anantaajith Raghuraman
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