Free agent XI including the likes of Messi, Ramos is worth more than €200m combined

A number of top footballers have officially become free agents after their contracts expired on July 1.

The likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos are now out of contract and available on a free transfer. 

Several other top stars have already completed their free transfers this summer, with David Alaba swapping Bayern Munich for Real Madrid, Georginio Wijnaldum leaving Liverpool for Paris Saint-Germain, Sergio Aguero joining Barcelona from Manchester City, Memphis Depay swapping Lyon for Barcelona and Hakan Calhanoglu switching from AC Milan to Inter Milan.

With many clubs still reeling from the financial effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it is expected that there will be a lot more free transfers this summer. 

The Business Standard (TBS) has put together an XI of players who are currently free agents which is worth more than €200m combined. 

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (€60m)

Italy's current number one, Donnarumma is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he is currently a free agent after his contract with AC Milan came to an end.

The 22-year-old is widely expected to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with reports claiming he is set to agree a five-year deal.

RB: Elseid Hysaj (€13m)

The full-back's time Napoli has come to an end after six seasons, having particularly thrived under Maurizio Sarri.

Hysaj was heavily linked with a big-money move to Chelsea in 2018, but Napoli rejected the Blues' advances and he now looks set to reunite with Sarri at Lazio on a free.

CB: Sergio Ramos (€14m)

Despite turning 35 in March, Ramos is still widely considered to be one of the best central defenders in world football.

It was announced last month that he would be leaving Real Madrid after 16 years at the club and the likes of PSG, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with his services.

CB: Eric Garcia (€20m)
The 19-year-old is one of the rising centre-back stars in European football but hasn't signed a new deal with the current club Manchester City.

LB: Ryan Bertrand (€8m)

Following seven years at Southampton, it was confirmed back in May that Bertrand would be leaving the club at the end of the season and he is now officially a free agent.

The 31-year-old left-back, who has been capped 19 times by England, has been linked with Premier League sides Arsenal and Leicester City.

CM: Paulinho (€9.50m)

The former Barcelona and Tottenham midfielder is now available on a free after his contract with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande expired.

Paulinho decided against signing an extension and reports from Spain claim that Atletico Madrid are interested in his services.

CM: John  Lundstram (€7m)

After rejecting Sheffield United's offer of a new contract, John Lundstram is officially a free agent.

The 27-year-old racked up over 100 appearances for the Blades, having joined them from League One side Oxford back in 2017, and he has been linked with both Burnley and Rangers.

AM: Juan Mata (€7m)

When Manchester United submitted their retained list last month, they stated that they were in discussions with Mata over a new contract.

Reports have claimed that Mata would like to stay at Old Trafford, but his contract has officially expired and he is available on a free transfer. 

ST: Lionel Messi (€100m)  

Just 12 months on from his attempt to force a move away from Barcelona, Messi has become a free agent.

A lot has changed at the new camp since his attempts to leave last year and he is expected to sign a new deal. 

ST: Diego Costa (€10m)

The veteran striker has starred for Atletico Madrid and Chelsea over the years, but he is currently without a club having agreed to terminate his contract with Atletico last December.

Costa has been linked with a return to the Premier League and a move to China, but nothing has yet materialised for the 32-year-old.