Mohamed Salah, Dani Carvajal, and the biggest free agents on the market

The World Cup is over, and the club season has already begun. It started even before the final between Argentina and France for many teams, and while clubs are getting players back, and building their squad for the upcoming campaign, there are still some big name free agents without a team.

Salah still free

One of the biggest names to hit the free agent market this summer is former Liverpool man, Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian had a historic run to the round of 16 with his country during the World Cup. The dream run came to an end against Argentina, and since then Salah and his agent have been waiting to find the right team for the 34 year old.

Salah’s era at Liverpool came to an end this year, when he and Arne Slot started to butt heads. The winger announced his departure from the club in the spring, and Anfield bid their hero a deserved farewell in the final home match of the campaign against Brentford. Slot was fired after the season, and there was hope that maybe Salah would reverse course and come back to the club, but it seems as both parties have closed the door on that possibility.

There was talk of Salah pondering a move to Saudi Arabia, but then Turkish side Besiktas looked to be on course to sign the Egypt captain. A report today came out saying that Salah’s agent had a few too many demands during the negotiations with the Turkish club, and negotiations came to a holt. While Salah will be picked up by a team on a free transfer, whoever lands “Mo” will likely have to pay a pretty penny for his annual salary. Besiktas was reportedly ready to shell out €15 million per year.

A couple of ex Madridistas still on the board

Dani Carvajal said an emotional good bye to the Santiago Bernabeu and it’s fans at the end of last season, and is now looking for a new club after over two decades with the club. Carvajal didn’t play a whole lot last year after coming back from a devastating injury suffered in the 2023/24 season, but the 34 year old is still intent on playing. Inter Milan were rumored to be interested in a free transfer for the right back, as well as a few other clubs. Outside of Europe, the MLS, Qatari league and Saudi Arabia have been reportedly looking to lure the former Real Madrid captain.

Dusan Vlahovic is the highest valued free agent according to Transfermarkt.com. The 26 year old center forward played with Juventus for the last four years, but now the Serbian is on the market and looking for a new team. Last year he scored 7 goals in 19 league matches for Juventus, and three goals in four Champions league matches. Barcelona have been rumored to be lining up a bid should the Julian Alvarez transfer fall through. Chelsea have apparently been chasing the Serbia all summer, and he is reportedly their top choice if they were to sign a number 9.

There are some other big names that might surprise on the free agent list. Jadon Sancho has been on loan for the last two years and his contract with Manchester United has run out. Ex-Liverpool man Fabinho and Manchester City defender John Stones are currently looking for clubs after their contracts came to an end this summer. Finally Leon Goretzka doesn’t look like he’ll be heading back to Bayern Munich and Dani Ceballos has already said his good byes in Madrid, so both of those free agents will be looking for a new home over the coming weeks.

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