Where should football’s top free agents go this summer?

The end of the season is rapidly approaching, and several of the world’s highest profile players are going out of contract, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Corentin Tolisso, and Antonio Rudiger.

This summer is bound to see some monumental moves being made in the transfer market, with some big names already securing or being heavily linked with pricey moves away.

However, I’m going to look at the value that can be found on the free agents list, as several players take their leave of their current clubs in search of greener pastures.

So, here are some of the highest quality players available for nothing this summer, and where I think they should end up.

It should be noted that players who already have a move sealed, or are heavily rumoured to have one prepared, will not feature on this list (e.g. Mbappe and Rudiger to Real Madrid).

1. Boubacar Kamara – Manchester United

Marseille’s young French starlet has performed brilliantly at Marseille since his promotion to the first team in 2017, making 129 appearances in the league to date, and with one game remaining, he could yet secure Champions League football for his boyhood club.

However, with his contract expiring in June, and with the Red Devils in the market for a new defensive midfielder, this feels like a good fit.

He is no Declan Rice, and is certainly not the ‘marquee’ signing many United fans will be hoping for, but he is certainly an effective player in that position. The Manchester outfit could do a lot worse than bringing him in on a free should West Ham remain adamant about Rice’s £150m price tag.

2. Andrea Belotti – Newcastle United

Torino’s long time talismanic forward is finally set to depart from the Serie A side this summer, and with over 100 goals scored in Italy’s top flight, many clubs would do well to bring him in.

He is no superstar, but he is surely a better option than Chris Wood up top

Reportedly, both Newcastle and West Ham are interested in his services, but the allure of a monster contract on Tyneside could likely tempt the Italian to link up with Eddie Howe and his Toon army for next season.

He is no superstar, but he is surely a better option than Chris Wood up top, even if it is as a deputy to Callum Wilson when the Englishman is fit.

3. Ousmane Dembélé – Barcelona

Yes, I am suggesting that one of these players stay put, but it just seems like the right move for all parties.

Dembele has been hit and miss in Catalonia since his big money arrival in 2017, with injuries majorly affecting his potential impact at Barca.

However, since Xavi’s arrival, Dembele has managed to stay fit, and has put in a very strong showing, posting 13 assists in La Liga this season.

He’s far from perfect, but Barcelona won’t want to let him leave on a free, and it would be a shame for him to leave right as he’s hitting his stride in Spain.

4. Paulo Dybala – Inter Milan

I’ll admit, this one did verge upon the ‘basically completed’ category, but with several other clubs apparently still interested, this one just made the cut.

Dybala has shown time and time again that he is a quality player, and with nearly 100 goals in Serie A since his arrival in Italy, paired with 51 assists, he would no doubt be a massive boon to an Inter side that will be gunning for the league title again next season.

He’s struggled to push on following an outstanding first few seasons in Turin, but there’s one hell of a player in there, and a potential partnership with Lautaro Martinez, should his compatriot remain at Inter, could be absolutely deadly.

5. Paul Pogba – Manchester City

Finally, a controversial one.

It’s been rumoured that Pogba has already turned down City’s approaches for fear of tarnishing his links with United and the fans.

This raises the question, though: what links?

Across two spells at Old Trafford, Pogba has frustrated both on and off the pitch. Mourinho labelled him a “virus”, Sir Alex Ferguson was overjoyed to be rid of him, and the fans certainly don’t seem heartbroken that he will be departing this summer.

Guardiola could definitely be the man to get a tune out of the Frenchman, and besides, who wouldn’t love to relive the drama of Carlos Tevez’s move just over a decade ago?

So, what is there to lose?

Pogba is a massive ego to manage, yes, and one that at first seems a tad out of place in a Manchester City dressing room full of level heads and humility.

However, that dressing room is only that way because of one man – Pep Guardiola.

Pogba has shown that he can perform at a brilliant level when working with an equally brilliant manager. If he has a coach that can keep him in check and force him to work hard, he will put on a show – we’ve seen it at Juventus, we’ve seen it on the international stage for France.

Guardiola could definitely be the man to get a tune out of the Frenchman, and besides, who wouldn’t love to relive the drama of Carlos Tevez’s move just over a decade ago?