10 players available on free transfers

The transfer window is open and the usual fanfare among football supporters is well underway with rumours and whispers filling newspaper columns and being the talk of the workplace.

As a new season approaches, footballers around the world will be coming and going from club to club and fans are fuelled with excitement to see what players sign for their beloved club. Transfer sagas, written transfer requests and stalled contracts are all part of the fun and we can certainly expect some big moves before the transfer window slams shut.

Money moguls like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are not scared to splash the cash, however there are plenty of bargain buys out there this summer and Football Ticket Pad has picked out ten of the best players available for free (with the odd astronomical wage bill!) Who knows, one of the players listed below might be playing in your club colours by the start of the season. After all, who doesn’t love a bargain!

Hal Robson-Kanu: The striker was released by Reading last season and he will have plenty of potential suitors after his impressive Euro 2016 campaign for Wales. The striker is still only 27 years old and his goals against Belgium and Slovakia have put clubs on high alert with a number of Premier League and European clubs said to be interested. Hull City are believed to be leading the race as Steve Bruce prepares to give him a shot in the Premier League.

Kolo Toure: Many were surprised to see the fan favourite leave Anfield this summer after he earned himself a regular starting spot at Liverpool towards the end of the season. He is full of experience and still has plenty to offer at the highest level. The Ivorian is a Premier League winner from his days with Arsenal and Manchester City and there will be numerous Premier League clubs keen on securing the 35 year-old’s services. His 26 appearances last year show that the veteran defender is not over the hill just yet. A potential reunion with former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic has also been mooted.

Michael McGovern: The Northern Ireland keeper put himself in the shop window at Euro 2016 with a string of impressive displays following his release from Hamilton Academical in Scotland. He put in a Man of the Match performance to salvage a draw against Germany in order to qualify from the group and interest will be high for the 32 year-old stopper. A plethora of clubs are looking to secure his services with Burnley supposedly interested.

Alvaro Arbeloa: A World Cup winner with Spain, 33 year-old Alvaro Arbeloa is searching for a new club following his departure from Real Madrid. The former Liverpool right-back has plenty of experience and could still do a job at the top level. However, injury battles have plagued his career over the last couple seasons. Newly promoted Middlesbrough are believed to be interested, along with Rafael Benitez who is looking to sure up his Newcastle United squad ahead of the Championship season.

Nicklas Bendtner: The controversial striker is without a club after having his contract terminated by Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. The ex-Arsenal man has never been far from controversy but some top sides will fancy a punt on Bendtner at a cut price with plenty of clubs in Europe looking to give him another chance. The striker will be keen to prove himself at the highest level and rediscover his goalscoring form which saw him score 47 goals in 171 games for Arsenal. Still only 28, the Denmark international will be desperate to find some stability in his career after unsuccessful loan spells at Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus in the past.

Kieran Richardson: The 31 year-old was released by Aston Villa after their humiliating relegation from the Premier League. Richardson will be keen to rebuild his reputation which led to him coming through the ranks at Manchester United and making eight England appearances. He could prove to be a shrewd piece of business with his versatility and will be a suitable option for any newly promoted clubs in the Premier League given his experience.

Miguel Veloso: The defensive midfielder has over fifty caps for Portugal and has appeared in two World Cups and two European Championships. Veloso, 30, was released by Dynamo Kiev at the end of last season and he is seeking a new club. Veloso appeared to be on the move to Ligue 1 side Monaco in June, but the deal fell through in the final stages.

Leon Osman: Former Everton midfielder was not offered a new deal at Goodison Park and a selection of clubs have already enquired about his services. The 35 year-old has over 300 Premier League appearances to his name and will be a great addition for many sides. Osman made his England debut aged 31 suggesting the central midfielder still has plenty to offer if he can stay fit. Leeds United and Bristol City in the Championship are believed to have made contact with the former Blues favourite.

Jose Enrique: The Spaniard was something of a forgotten man in his final season at Anfield as Alberto Moreno established himself as the first choice Liverpool left back. Enrique, 30, was a key man in Liverpool’s League Cup winning side in 2012 but has seen his playing time limited over the last two seasons following numerous injury problems. If the jet heeled full back cannot find a club in the Premier League, a return to his native Spain looks likely. However his £72,000 per week wages may prove to be a stumbling block for a lot of clubs.

Stephane Sessegnon: Recently released by West Bromwich Albion, Sessegnon is free to look for a new club. The 32 year-old can play in numerous positions as a forward, winger and midfielder. The former Paris Saint Germain man has been playing in the Premier League for the past five seasons with Sunderland and West Brom, but his wage demands may distract potential employers. The Benin international has been attracting interest from China in recent weeks.