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The landscape of the 2018 summer transfer window, like previous summers, witnessed significant arrivals and departures, Bosman transfers, and record-breaking deals; only this time, the Serie A witnessed more marquee signings than it has in recent years.
Over the years, Juventus have benefitted more from free transfers (Andrea Pirlo, Dani Alves, Sami Khedira, etc.), and yet, the Old lady and Andrea Agnelli are not alone; the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, PSG and Inter Milan will be eager to strike one or two profitable deals as well.
So, what does the complete XI of potential 2019 free transfers look like?
#1 GK - David de Gea (Manchester United)
If Thibaut Courtois hadn't moved already, the next transfer window would probably fill in as episode 12 of the Real Madrid/David de Gea summer soap opera.
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Following a disappointing World Cup outing with Spain, David de Gea has struggled to reclaim his status as the best shot-stopper in England. The fact that Manchester United are struggling as a whole won't help his cause, however.
In Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid now boasts the services of an established world class goalkeeper, and although De Gea remains a class above the Belgian, it's very unlikely that the European champions will come knocking again in the near future.
At best, Ed Woodward and the Manchester United hierarchy will offer their number one a contract extension, but it depends largely on whether they can afford what he asks for.
#2 CB - Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
In ancient Rome, he would have made a darn good General; a loyal commander under the reign of Marcus Aurelius, for the glory of the Roman Empire.
Over the years, Diego Godin has evolved into arguably the most consistent defender in Spanish football. Atleti's captain has become an exemplary centre back, mentoring the likes of Lucas Hernandez and Jose Maria Gimenez, possible long-term replacements should the club decide to let him leave next summer.
Manchester United, Bayern, PSG and Juventus have reportedly indicated keen interest over the years, but it is Juventus and United who have been more direct in their approach.
While the Old Lady proposed a three-year contract at €4.5 million, Manchester United reportedly had a jet ready for the veteran defender on deadline day, but the player has since explained his decision to remain at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The 32-year-old is the perfect modern centre-back and both clubs will be lurking around, waiting to strike a deal if Atletico Madrid chiefs show the slightest sign of indecision regarding Godin's future.
#3 CB - Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
Jose Mourinho was, quite frankly, very outspoken regarding his desire to sign a quality centre-back last summer. The two names consistently making it through the headlines were Leicester City's Harry Maguire and Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, but the latter appears more likely to join another club in the coming months.
After mixed years at Atletico Madrid and Southampton, the Belgian finally found his feet in Tottenham colours, forming a remarkable defensive partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen, but with his future at Spurs looking more uncertain than ever before, chances are Daniel Levy could decide to land another huge payday.
Manchester United on the hand has a reputation for putting the money where their mouth is, and if Tottenham can find a replacement soon enough, it could be a win-win for all parties involved.
#4 LB - Patrice Evra (Free Agent)
The veteran left-back needs no introduction, he's bossed that role since his Monaco days, but age catches up with everyone, and although his time at the Stade Velodrome ended in controversy, the Manchester United legend has since moved on.
After having his contract terminated by Olympique Marseille, Patrice Evra arrived the London stadium on a short-term deal that ended in June and has since remained a free agent after helping reinforce West Ham's defensive options last season.
At 36, it's unclear what happens from here on. Major League Soccer? Chinese Super League? Player/Manager role? It's hard to tell, but one thing remains quite clear and obvious, the charismatic Frenchman loves this game, and as a free agent, it's only a matter of time before Evra takes to the pitch again.
#5 CAM - Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
With just one year left on his contract, one of the key challenges for new Arsenal boss Unai Emery in the post-Wenger era remains convincing the Welshman to take a new deal and extend his stay at the Emirates.
Since making the £5million switch from Cardiff City as a 17-year-old attacking prodigy in 2008, Aaron Ramsey has proved an absolute bargain for the Gunners, playing a key role in the club's FA Cup triumphs over the years.
As far as his future is concerned, the Welshman holds all the cards, and if Arsenal don't press the right buttons, Liverpool and Chelsea will be paying enough attention to indulge once the time is right.
#6 CM - Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
His name is inextricably attached to the Premier League. The La Masia graduate has been around since the mid-2000s, had a short stint at Barcelona, before returning to win the Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea.
In the wake of a tough preseason and an injury-plagued 2018/19, Cesc Fabregas, a key element under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, now finds himself observing from the sidelines in the Maurizio Sarri regime.
Chelsea's midfield trio of Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic have thrived in his absence, and even when he recovers, the midfield metronome will either have to take a pay cut and fight his way back -- which remains uncertain given Sarri's philosophy of aggressive pressing -- or continue his adventure elsewhere.
At 31, Cesc Fabregas's leadership qualities and enviable experience in the middle of the park imply he's still a hot commodity, and would easily slot in as a key player elsewhere should Chelsea decide against extending his contract.
#7 CM - Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 23-year-old is another one of the PSG boys who has come through the system at the Parc des Princes. Since returning on loan from Toulouse in 2013, the French midfielder has been on an upward trajectory, albeit with impressive cameos in PSG's star-studded list.
He's young, he's hungry, and may have to seek more playing time elsewhere.
According to ESPN, Liverpool have made contact with the player's agent -- his mum actually -- and with limited playing time becoming a concern, Rabiot, a huge fan of Klopp's methods, could be heading to Anfield next January.
Under the atmosphere of heavy metal football, and the tutelage of the ever charismatic Jurgen Klopp, it is very unlikely that the Frenchman will be walking alone in 2019.
#8 RW - Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto)
The French-Algerian winger scored the all-important equaliser as FC Porto completed a triumphant comeback against Desportivo Aves in Portuguese Super Cup.
Last season though, according to Sky sources, West Ham had agreed on a transfer fee for the Algerian, but the switch to London fell through after the Dragons failed to reach personal terms with the winger.
West Ham United have been busy in the recent transfer markets, and with the possibility of the Algerian not staying at the Estadio do Dragao beyond 2019, the London club will be keen to reopen talks with one of its top transfer targets.
#9 LW - Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain)
Alongside Lionel Messi, on the international stage, the player has experienced enough heartbreaks for two lifetimes, but Angel Di Maria's exalted status as a distinguished South American winger remains untouched.
After his Manchester United career went South, it would have been easy to write him off, but the Argentine quickly reestablished himself at the Parc des Princes, becoming a cog in PSG's wheel of domestic triumph.
In an interview with TYC Sports, the former Real Madrid man confirmed he was close to joining Barcelona last year but the move failed to materialize.
Angel Di Maria is a player PSG will be willing to keep beyond 2019, and his case is more about contract renewal and improved wage packages than it is about expired deals and free transfers.
#10 ST - Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
There was a time when Anthony Martial was the hottest commodity in French football, he's now become one of the players at the forefront of Jose Mourinho's unravelling third season implosion at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial, once the heartbeat of United's attacking lines and considered a long-term project for the Red Devils, has seen his future hanging in the balance under the Special One.
The arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016, Alexis Sanchez in 2018, and the continued preference of Marcus Rashford is solid proof of Mourinho's lack of faith in Martial's abilities to lead United's attack, even though Club director Ed Woodward has been vocal about his intentions to keep the player, against the manager's will.
The French striker is an exceptionally skilled centre-forward and has yet to even reach the peak of his powers, but with his, and Jose Mourinho's future looking very uncertain, it's safe to say the last paragraph of Anthony Martial's Man United diaries has not been written yet.
#11 ST - Mario Balotelli (OGC Nice)
Super Mario. He's gone from a controversy-plagued prodigy to one of the most consistent strikers around Europe's top five leagues, just like his early Italian years.
Mario Balotelli has repaid Nice in goals, netting a career-best 22 goals in 30 games for Lucien Favre's side last season. The club was willing to take a gamble when no one would tolerate the player's immaturity and their faith has paid off, but given the Azzurri forward's career is back on track, it might be difficult to extend his stay beyond 2019.
Last summer, the former Milan forward was heavily linked with a switch to Olympique Marseille, where he would have formed a ruthless attacking trident with Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin, but given his contract runs out next year, OGC Nice could still cash in on Balotelli's highly anticipated switch to the Stade Velodrome.
Still on the subject of potential free transfers, the likes of Juan Mata and Ander Herrera (Manchester United), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Sami Khedira (Juventus), David Luiz (Chelsea) and Eliaquim Mangala (Man City) are expected be on the free agents catalogue next summer, but whether or not they extend their stay at their current clubs, there is an abundance of quality that suggests they'll have a little headache settling elsewhere.
