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Free transfers are called so as they involve the transfer of players between clubs without a transfer fee. That happens when a player either runs out of contract at his parent club or both parties rescind the contract by mutual consent.
Such transfers are preferable for clubs that do not have the financial might to make big-money moves. After the COVID-19 outbreak wrecked the finances of many clubs, loan moves and free transfers have become more common than what is usually the case.
Over the years, several world-class players have moved on free transfers and found success at their new clubs. Some notable examples in this regard would be Steve McManaman joining Real Madrid in 1999, Sol Campbell moving to Arsenal in 2001, Real Madrid legend Raul joining Schalke 04 in 2010 and Miroslav Klose arriving at Lazio in 2011, to name a few.
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On that note, here's a look at the five greatest free transfers in the history of the game.
#5 Gianluigi Donnarumma to PSG (2021)
Widely regarded as one of the finest active goalkeepers in the game despite his tender years, Gianluigi Donnarumma first made his name at AC Milan as a precocious 16-year-old.
The 22-year-old quickly became a key player at the club, helping the Rossoneri to a creditable second-place finish in the 2020-21 season to seal a return to UEFA Champions League.
Donnarumma continued his fine form in Italy's triumphant campaign at Euro 2020 this summer. The lanky custodian kept clean sheets in all three group games and made key saves in the shootout wins against Spain in the semis and England in the final. For his fabulous exploits in the tournament, Donnarumma was named Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament.
However, with Milan failing to tie down Donnarumma to a new contract, French giants PSG swopped in and acquired the free agent, who is tipped to emulate and perhaps exceed the exploits of his illustrious namesake Gianluigi Buffon. Considering the player's pedigree and the promise he holds, PSG's acquisition of Donnarumma, especially on a free transfer, is an absolute coup.
Earlier this summer, PSG also acquired Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum on free transfers.
Donnarumma will now look to hit the ground running in a star-studded PSG team looking to reassert their domestic dominance and win their first Champions League title.
#4 Paul Pogba to Juventus (2012)
Paul Pogba is arguably one of the most talented midfield players in the game. However, after struggling for game-time during his stint at Manchester United, the Frenchman moved to Italian giants Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2012.
Suffice to say, Pogba was a standout performer for the Bianconeri during his four-season stay at the club. The midfielder scored 34 times and assisted on 40 occasions as the Bianconeri won four consecutive Serie A titles and reached a Champions League final.
Apart from his goal contributions, Pogba was a formidable presence in the Bianconeri midfield, orchestrating plays and conjuring scoring opportunities aplenty for teammates. Considering his exploits, United did not hesitate to splurge £89 million and bring Pogba back to Old Trafford before the start of the 2016-17 season.
Although the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner hasn't always hit the heights expected of him at Old Trafford, he has been a key player in the team, especially under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After a fine outing with France at Euro 2020, the 28-year-old will hope to build on his exploits from last season.
#3 Andrea Pirlo to Juventus (2011)
Andrea Pirlo is arguably one of the finest midfielders to have graced the game.
During an illustrious decade-long stint with AC Milan, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner racked up 41 goals and 70 assists in over 400 appearances in all competitions, helping the Rossoneri win two Serie A and as many Champions League titles.
So it came as a huge surprise when the then 32-year-old Pirlo was allowed to run down his contract by Milan, despite playing a key role in the club winning their first league title in seven years. That paved the way for Pirlo to join Juventus, where he enjoyed an unexpectedly fruitful four-season stint.
Ageing like fine wine, Pirlo continued his exploits at his new club, making 57 goal contributions to help the Bianconeri win four consecutive Serie A titles. Considering Pirlo's performances after leaving Turin, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani admitted that letting the midfield metronome leave the club was one of his worst decisions.
"Letting Pirlo go was my biggest mistake ever," Galliani was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "It was an error I made, together with a number of other persons. But don't ask me who the others were."
Pirlo was named Juventus' manager last season, replacing Maurizio Sarri at the helm. But the managerial greenhorn endured a forgettable debut campaign, as the Bianconeri failed to win the league for the first time in a decade. Pirlo was promptly let go at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, with Massimiliano Allegri replacing him on the touchline.
#2 Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich (2014)
Long before he made his name at Bayern Munich as one of the most lethal strikers in the history of the game, Robert Lewandowski first displayed his prowess at Borussia Dortmund.
After arriving in the Bundesliga from Lech Poznan in the summer of 2010, Lewandowski registered a rich tally of 103 goals and 42 assists in his four-season stint at BVB, winning two Bundesliga titles and reaching one UEFA Champions League final.
Amidst interest from Bayern Munich, Lewandowski opted to run out his contract at Dortmund before arriving at the Allianz Arena in the summer of 2014 as a free agent. The rest, as they say, is history.
The prolific Pole has amassed close to 300 goals and 65 assists in 329 appearances for the club, winning seven consecutive Bundesliga titles and the continental treble in 2019-20. Last season, Lewandowski plundered 41 goals to break Gerd Muller's five-decade-long record of most goals in a single Bundesliga season.
After a productive campaign for Poland at Euro 2020, Lewandowski is all set to continue his goalscoring ways for Bayern Munich when the 2021-22 season commences.
Seven years after his move to Bavaria and his subsequent exploits at the club, it is astounding to note that Bayern Munich did not have to part with a penny to land the services of Lewandowski.
#1 Lionel Messi to PSG (2021)
Lionel Messi is arguably one of the best players ever to have played the game.
One of the last vestiges of a true one-club man, Messi scored bags of goals won titles several titles during his highly successful near two-decade-long stint at Barcelona.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner amassed a staggering 1077 goal contributions for the club in 17 seasons, winning a club-record ten La Liga titles, two continental trebles and eight Pichichi awards. After his contract ran out this summer, Messi was widely expected to re-sign with the Blaugrana.
However, that did not happen owing to La Liga's financial fair play rules, with Barcelona unable to let go enough players to accommodate Messi's new contract despite the player agreeing a 50% pay-cut. That made Messi the most coveted free agent in the history of the sport.
PSG were quick to make a move, agreeing a two-year deal with the Copa America 2021 winner. Messi is set to join his good friends Neymar and Angel Di Maria at a frighteningly star-studded team brimming with quality in all areas across the turf.
Earlier this summer, PSG acquired Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma to add to the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti and Marquinhos. The Ligue 1 giants have become the team to beat this season, and will look to compete on all fronts with the legendary Argentine as their star attraction.
