The 10 best Premier League stars out of contract in the summer

Updated: 27 Mar 2024 21:50 GMT
5 min read

Premier League, free agents, Anthony Martial, Tosin Adarabioyo — © IMAGO

Kylian Mbappe is football’s most high-profile free agent this summer, but who are the Premier League’s best players who are running down their contracts?

Stars at Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all find themselves in the position of having no certain future, with deals running out on 30 June.

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There is a wealth of experience available for free but also no shortage of quality.

Here are the 10 best Premier League free agents in 2024, according to data analytics experts SciSports.

Best Premier League free agents

10. Ashley Young (Everton)

SciSkill: 93.7

The 38-year-old continues to defy time at Everton, where he remains a regular member of the starting XI. Has shown his flexibility this season by playing left-back, right-back and right midfield.

Could this be his last year at the top level?

9. Fabian Schar (Newcastle)

SciSkill: 94.0

The centre-back has been a firm favourite of Eddie Howe at Newcastle, featuring in every Premier League game this season and playing all but 76 minutes. Has scored some clutch goals lately, too, including a double against Aston Villa.

The Magpies will feel upgrading here is possible, but Schar remains a useful asset.

8. Danny Welbeck (Brighton)

SciSkill: 94.2

The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward continues to play a regular role at Brighton, where he has scored three and created three in 19 Premier League appearances this season.

Gutted we couldn’t turn it around Seagulls but a much better performance. Now it’s time for us to focus back on the league. Thank you for all the support 👊🏿💙 pic.twitter.com/W2DzupEaAS
— Danny Welbeck (@DannyWelbeck) March 14, 2024

7. Joel Matip (Liverpool)

SciSkill: 94.2

The 32-year-old faces a long period out with a cruciate ligament injury, and with Jurgen Klopp departing Anfield, remaining on Merseyside could be tricky for the veteran Cameroon international, whose time at the very top could be over.

6. Vladimir Coufal (West Ham)

Sci Skill: 94.3

Has performed sterling service to West Ham since a 2020 move from Slavia Prague, and the Hammers still have the option of extending his deal by a year. With 27 Premier League appearances this season and seven assists, it would be surprising to see the Czech depart.

5. Thiago Silva (Chelsea)

SciSkill: 94.4

At some point the timeless Brazilian will leave Chelsea, and it looks more than ever that it will be this summer. He remains a brilliant player, although he is no longer the best centre-back in the world as he once was. A return to Brazil is calling for the 39-year-old.

4. Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham)

SciSkill: 97.9

The most eligible player on this list, the 26-year-old has been linked with a potential move to Manchester United in the summer after an exceptional season with Fulham. The Cottagers are poised to offer him a new deal but Liverpool, Tottenham and AC Milan offer tempting alternatives.

3. Willian (Fulham)

SciSkill: 98.4

When Willian returned to the Premier League in 2022 after a stint in Brazil with Corinthians, few could have imagined the impact he would have. At Arsenal, he looked finished but back in England with Fulham, he has been spectacular.

The club hold an option for a one-year extension and exercising it on the 35-year-old will be very tempting indeed.

2. Anthony Martial (Man Utd)

SciSkill: 103.7

Although a figure of frustration at Manchester United, Anthony Martial remains a capable player as his second place on this list shows. However, injury problems and a lack of confidence in front of goal are badly hampering a France international who is so much better than he has shown at Old Trafford in recent times.

Man Utd hold a one-year option on his contract but that won’t be taken up as the Jim Ratcliffe revolution takes shape.

© IMAGO - Anthony Martial and Antony, Man Utd

1. Jorginho (Arsenal)

SciSkill: 107.2

Jorginho was expected to sign a new Arsenal contract at the start of the season, yet the veteran Italy international now looks likely to depart the Emirates Stadium, with recent reports indicating that talks have broken down.

There has been some suggestion that he could move to Barcelona in the summer, and given the quality that he still possesses deep into his career, this might not be the worst move for a veteran still capable of operating at the very top level.