Eight free agents that Premier League clubs can still sign

There are still a number of talented players more than capable of plugging gaps at some current Premier League clubs including former favourites, international stars and experienced campaigners.

Here are seven players, all who have already proven their worth in the division, that clubs could take a chance on.

1 – Serge Aurier (right back)

The Ivorian was a casualty of Tottenham’s deadline day capture of Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

With Nuno Espírito Santo having Royal, as well as Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty, to fill the right back slot, Aurier became surplus to requirements and his contract was mutually terminated.

The former PSG players, who Spurs purchased for £23 million in 2017, was understood to want to leave the London club in order to get more regular game time and reports suggest that efforts to sell him on to other clubs were unsuccessful.

Now available on a free transfer, the 28-year old may yet be able to secure a move to another top flight English club.

2 – David Luiz (centre back)

With 213 Premier League appearances, 14 goals and 67 clean sheets under his belt the Brazilian, 34, could still be an asset despite his advancing years.

Perhaps not the most reliable defender at times, and prone to the occasional blunder, a CV which includes three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one Champions League and two Europa League’s is not to be taken lightly.

You also don’t earn 57 cap for the Brazilian national men’s team without having something special about you.

Let go by Arsenal earlier in the summer, a move elsewhere in London could be on the cards for the veteran centre-back, but that’s not to say other sides further afield from the capital should be ruled out.

3 – Jack Wilshire (centre mid)

It's been an injury plagued career for the midfielder who first burst on to the Premier League scene in 2008 with Arsenal.

His fitness problems have been well documented but there’s no denying that a fit and healthy Wilshire would be an asset to any top flight club.

At his best, the 29-year old is capable of running the show in the middle of the park.

Available after a short spell in the Championship with Bournemouth, the 29-year old is surely worth another short term deal elsewhere.

4- Hatem Ben Arfa (winger)

At 34 years old the former Toon Army favourite’s best years are almost certainly behind him.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean the former Newcastle and PSG player isn’t still capable of bringing a bit of creativity and flair to any side which he might join, either as a winger or in a more central role.

With 13 goals in 76 Premier League appearances (all with Newcastle) to his name, a short term deal for the 15 times capped France international could be a shrewd bit of business for any side lacking that certain x-factor in attack.

After six years playing in his native France and in Spain, a return to England would certainly grab the attention of many.

5 – Daniel Sturridge (Striker)

Sturridge comes with a fair share of baggage and his biggest detractor will be the fact he hasn’t played a competitive game of football for 18 months at this point.

The 32-year-old had his contract with Turkish Super League side Trabzonspor terminated in March 2020 shortly before he was handed a four-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Getting him back to match fitness could be a time consuming task for a club but, similar to others on this list, a fully fit and firing on all cylinders Sturridge would be a real asset.

If nothing else, a return to the Premier League for the former England international would certainly grab the headlines.

6 – Eliaquim Mangala (centre back)

The former Manchester City defender is available on a free after two season with Valencia in the Spanish top flight.

The 30-year old was last seen in the Premier League with Everton, signing on loan from City in January 2018, but he picked up a knee injury in just his second game of the Toffees and played no further part that season.

A Premier League winner with the Sky Blues, Mangala should be able to comfortably slot back into English football if given the opportunity.

There’s more than one top flight club that could probably do with a centre back of the Frenchman’s quality.

7 – Sergio Romero (goalkeeper)

Being a free agent goalkeeper outside of a transfer window has its pros and cons as clubs should have that position well covered with two if not three senior keepers fighting it out for the starting berth.

That being said, injuries and suspensions happen and, with young keepers quite often out on loan further down the divisions, there’s always a chance a club might need to go looking for a stopper outside the window.

Should they need to do that, a former Manchester United keeper with 86 Argentina caps is available.

Romero, 34, was released by the Red Devils at the end of last season and it’s entirely possible we could yet see him pop up in the Premier League this season despite not having a club at this time.

8 – Andy Carroll (Striker)

If your club is struggling to find the back of the net and needs a striker in to bag the goals then Andy Carroll… probably isn’t the solution.

However, there aren’t too many frontmen out there that can bring what the 32-year old does to an attacking line at such a high level.

The physical side of his game adds another option for clubs and, even if he’s not banging in the goals, he can change a game and be a real handful for defenders.

The former Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool man might not be a marquee signing at this stage but he could still be of use.