5 most valuable free agents in world football right now

Paulinho is a free agent now, but surprisingly he does not top this list!
Paulinho is a free agent now, but surprisingly he does not top this list!

#3 Oscar Romero (€3.5 million)

Paraguay v Venezuela - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier
Paraguay v Venezuela - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Paraguay's attacking midfielder Oscar Romero is currently the third-most valuable free agent in world football. The 29-year-old's two-year association with Argentine side San Lorenzo came to an end earlier this summer as the two parties couldn't agree on a new deal. He made 55 appearances for San Lorenzo, scored 10 and assisted nine goals.

Before his move to Argentina, Romero spent two seasons in China with Shanghai Shenhua, making 28 appearances in which he scored five and assisted 10 goals.

Romero also spent a year in La Liga with Deportivo Alaves, joining them on a year-long loan in 2017 from Shanghai Shenhua. He failed to impress in Spain though, managing just one assist in 20 appearances for Alaves.


#2 Paulinho (€5 million)

Barcelona v Guangzhou Evergrande FC - FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final
Barcelona v Guangzhou Evergrande FC - FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final

Paulinho, the most high-profile player on the list, has been without a club after his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli Jeddah was terminated this summer. The Brazilian midfielder joined Al-Ahli only this summer from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou FC on a three-year deal, but left immediately due to 'emergency circumstances'.

Paulinho had joined Tottenham Hotspur from Brazilian side Corinthians in 2013 in a deal worth €19.73 million. But he failed to impress for the English side and left after two seasons for Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande. He led the Chinese side to the AFC Champions League in 2015 and consecutive league titles.

He then earned the biggest transfer of his career, to Barcelona for €40 million in 2017. Paulinho made 49 appearances for them, scoring nine and assisting three goals. But he returned to Guangzhou the following year, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent. He helped the CSL side win yet another Chinese Super League title in 2019.


#1 Angel Romero (€5 million)

Uruguay v Paraguay: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021
Uruguay v Paraguay: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021

Paraguay winger Angel Romero, like brother Oscar Romero, has been without a club since his contract with Argentine club San Lorenzo came to an end earlier this year. Romero spent two seasons with San Lorenzo after joining them in 2019, and represented them in 55 matches. He scored 13 goals for them and assisted 12 times.

Angel, along with his brother Oscar, were even the subject of interest from Barcelona in the summer transfer window following the expiration of their contract. As per journalist Rudy Galetti, the Spanish giants were considering signing the duo on a free deal to solve their attacking issues. The deal, however, didn't materialize.

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Edited by Nived Zenith
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