The annual scramble in the closing stages of the summer transfer window is underway.
Last-minute sales need to be accounted for and early-season injuries need covering. But, as transfers budgets have been spent, cheaper options must be sought.
The cheapest players are those without clubs, or free agents as they are better known.
The Athletic has looked at some of the players who are still available for free in the last week of the transfer window.
Which players are still available as free agents?
Some of the biggest stars of world football over the last decade are available for free.
Although not to Manchester United supporters, perhaps the most surprising player without a club is David de Gea who, even after his deal had officially expired, expected to play another year at the club.
It was not until July that the decision was made for him to leave and, despite links with Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia, he is without a new employer.
Closely following the surprise at De Gea's lack of a club is his former international team-mate Sergio Ramos who left Paris-Saint Germain at the end of the season. Rumours linking him with a move to one of Turkish football's big clubs have intensified while a switch to the Middle East cannot be ruled out.
When Eden Hazard joined Real Madrid for €100million (£88.3m; $107.6m) in 2019, it was inconceivable to think that he might be without a club four years later. His move to the Spanish capital was nothing short of a disaster, mainly down to injuries, and there is a chance he could retire after his departure was confirmed earlier this summer.
Then, there is Jesse Lingard who, this time last year, had the pick of a couple of Premier League clubs following his departure from Manchester United. Instead of choosing West Ham United — where he had shone on loan previously — he chose Nottingham Forest and is subsequently looking for a new team this summer.
The 30-year-old has spent some time training with West Ham during the last few weeks, as confirmed by David Moyes, but it is unclear whether they will look to sign him again.
There are plenty of other players available on free transfers this summer and here is a selected list along with their most recent club:
Juan Mata (Galatasaray)
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers)
Jerome Boateng (Lyon)
Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United)
Roberto Pereyra (Udinese)
Andros Townsend (Everton)
Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest)
Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City)
Stevan Jovetic (Hertha Berlin)
Can free agents be signed after the transfer window is closed?
Yes — a free agent can agree a contract with a club at any time throughout the year.
However, they cannot necessarily play immediately after being signed. Each league has a squad registration deadline, sometimes one synchronised with the closing of the transfer window.
Although, in the Premier League, clubs have almost a fortnight to sign and register any free agents as the registration deadline for the 25-man squads is on Wednesday, September 13.
Any players signed after that would have to wait until the next transfer window opens on January 1 to be included in the squad.
Any player you want your team to sign? Leave your opinion in the comments!