Free-agent market stays open after transfer deadline as clubs seek experienced signings

The summer transfer window has closed, but clubs that missed targets before deadline day can still add senior players by signing free agents who remain unattached.

Daily Mail Sport compiled an XI of available players who could be signed outside the window, noting the group contains a World Cup winner, five former Premier League figures and a six-cap England international. Among the higher-profile names highlighted were goalkeeper Fraser Forster and former Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich left back Juan Bernat.

Fraser Forster, who left Tottenham this summer after his contract expired, is listed as an experienced option between the sticks. The 6-foot-7 goalkeeper has made more than 480 senior appearances across English and Scottish football, with his most notable spells at Celtic and Southampton. Forster’s availability presents a short-term or mentoring option for clubs seeking a reliable presence in goal.

Juan Bernat, a left back with Champions League and top-flight continental experience during spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, is another former elite-level player who can be signed as a free agent. Bernat’s pedigree at leading European clubs could appeal to teams seeking immediate defensive cover without the need to negotiate a transfer fee.

The pool of free agents increased after the end of last season, when a number of players were released or had contracts expire. Under regulations across most leagues, unattached players may sign for clubs outside the normal transfer windows, giving teams flexibility to plug injury gaps or add depth once the window has closed.

Clubs at all levels have previously used the free-agent market to address late-season needs or to bring in experienced squad members on short-term deals. The players profiled in the Daily Mail Sport piece vary in age, position and recent playing time, giving potential suitors a range of options depending on tactical needs and budget constraints.

While signing a free agent can avoid transfer fees, clubs will still need to agree contract terms and ensure fitness and registration requirements are met before including new arrivals in competitive squads. Teams typically examine recent medicals and training reports closely when recruiting unattached players to mitigate the risk of signing players coming off injury or long periods without regular games.

Managers and sporting directors looking to bolster their squads now have a list of candidates available without the transactional complications of the closed window. The depth of experience in the free-agent pool, exemplified by the presence of former top-flight and international players, offers clubs an alternative route to strengthen squads during the early weeks of the season.

As the season progresses, further movements can be expected from both clubs and players as fitness issues and form create openings. For teams that failed to complete targeted business before the deadline, the free-agent market provides an ongoing channel to secure established professionals.