6 free agents available to sign and which EPL clubs should go for them

The transfer market may have slammed shut but there are still plenty of free agents available to sign for Premier League clubs.

A frenetic summer window saw plenty of comings and goings throughout the top-flight, not least at Chelsea where Todd Boehly continued to whip out the chequebook, while also allowing young talents to leave Stamford Bridge. Elsewhere, Manchester United broke the £200million mark with their spending, while Tottenham shelled out a club record fee for Dominic Solanke.

With three games gone of the new season, clubs have had a good chance to assess their business and work out any shortfalls due to injuries. There are still plenty of free agents out there who could be brought in to plug a gap, as we at Mirror Sport have taken a look at, including where some of them could end up.

Adrien Rabiot

French international Adrien Rabiot has long been linked with both United and Liverpool. Given his status as a free agent, many may have expected him to arrive on English soil this summer.

Rabiot left Juventus in July after a five-year stint. He previously won Ligue 1 five times with former side PSG and also has two domestic trebles to his name in his homeland.

The 29-year-old reportedly attracted Erik ten Hag's interest this summer, and fellow Dutchman Arne Slot saw his club linked with a move. However, the midfielder's wage demands ultimately scuppered any deal - Rabiot was reportedly looking for a £7.5m-per-year salary.

A player like Rabiot is needed in the heart of United's midfield. With bench options scarce, it goes without saying that reinforcement - as was targeted in the form of Martin Zubimendi - could also be handy at Anfield.

Of course, Ten Hag has signed Manuel Ugarte to shore things up in the middle of the park, but Rabiot offers something different as a player who not only enforces but glides forward when necessary. If the Frenchman is able to budge on his financial demands, then a deal with either top-flight powerhouse could yet materialise.

Joel Matip

Cameroonian cult hero Joel Matip left Anfield in July after eight successful years at the club. He signed for the Reds from German outfit Schalke in 2016 and won a Champions League and league title during his tenure.

Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate having moved ahead of the 33-year-old in the pecking order, combined with Arne Slot's arrival, saw Liverpool allow Matip's contract to to expire.

Matip reportedly had a range of options open to him in the summer, including a move back to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and possible Premier League moves to West Ham, Bournemouth, and Southampton. However, though none of these deals have yet come to fruition.

While any of the three could rekindle their interest, Matip could provide a perfect fit for Eddie Howe and Newcastle. Having failed in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi – and with Sven Botman still sidelined – a player like Matip could provide them with much-needed depth at centre-half.

Memphis Depay

Like many Atletico Madrid players this summer, Dutch ace Memphis Depay's contract was allowed to expire. He hits free agency at just 30 years old, with seemingly a lot left to offer.

The forward was last seen at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands and previously starred out for Barcelona, Lyon and, infamously, United - with whom he spent just two seasons from 2015 to 2017.

A player of Depay's calibre attracted interest from an array of top European sides, as was to be expected. But, if a Premier League club still wants to snap him up, they may need to act fast, as reports suggest the Dutchman is on his way to Brazil.

Depay is set to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Corinthians in the coming days, but that shouldn't prevent an English side from attempting to hijack the transfer, should they wish. One team that could be a potential landing spot for the FA Cup winner are United's Manchester rivals, City.

With Oscar Bobb sidelined for some time with a leg injury, and Julian Alvarez departing the club without being replaced, a versatile forward like Depay could provide the Citizens with extra firepower when games come thick and fast later in the campaign. Though a deal remains unlikely given Depay's Brazilian interest, a surprise move by Pep Guardiola isn't entirely unfeasible.

Dele Alli

Former Tottenham star Dele Alli had the world at his feet before encountering a difficult time in his career. He last played in England for Everton before a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas - where he played his last professional game in February 2023.

The Englishman left north London in 2022 after a seven-year stint and was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year in each of his first two top-flight seasons. Losing Mauricio Pochettino, the manager who moulded Dele into the superstar he appeared to have become, marked the beginning of his decline at Spurs. However, a return to the league he once shone so brightly in could be on the cards.

The star who bravely opened up about mental health struggles last year could be an option to rejoin Sean Dyche's Toffees, given he has been training with the Merseyside outfit. However, he could also suit some other top-flight teams.

Newly-promoted Ipswich could use the midfielder in a role similar to that of Sammie Szmodics, for example. A move to the Tractor Boys would not be dissimilar to Ross Barkley's switch to Luton Town last season, which gave him the springboard to relaunch his career at the top level, having joined Aston Villa in the summer.

A switch to Leicester may also be an option, particularly given the presence of ex-Spurs stars Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks, who have joined the club in recent windows.

Serge Aurier

Another former Spurs man who is available this season is Ivorian right-back Serge Aurier. He last played for Galatasaray before finding himself without a club in July.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a mixed four-year spell with Tottenham before moving on to Villarreal. In 2022, he returned to England with Nottingham Forest, where he stayed for two seasons – playing frequently – before heading to Turkey.

Given his experience within the league, the combative defender could provide cover for a range of Premier League teams. He could mimic the move he made in joining Forest by switching to newcomers Ipswich.

Kieran McKenna's preferred right-back option, Harry Clarke, underwent an achilles procedure this summer and is expected to remain sidelined for some time. While Axel Tuanzebe has been utilised in the position, he is not a natural full-back, and former West Ham man Ben Johnson is the only one left to deputise.

Other clubs who could also sign Aurier include Everton. Their first choice option, Nathan Patterson, suffered a hamstring injury last season that kept him out of Scotland's Euro 2024 plans, and he remains sidelined.

Yusuf Yazici

A name that that may not be familiar to Premier League fans, Turkish attacking ace Yusuf Yazici was a standout last season for French outfit Lille, and went to Euro 2024 with his nation as a different forward option.

Yazici registered 12 goals and four assists in competitions last campaign, and followed the manager who got the best out of him – new AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca – out of the club this summer after he failed to negotiate a new deal.

As is to be expected, top clubs from a range of countries, including Italy and Turkey, have been linked with a move for the attacking midfield player.

Reports have suggested that Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester United all hold the playmaker to a high regard, and any one of these clubs could head in for the 27-year-old should they need an edge.