As is all too often the case, the individual that lent their name to a significant ruling didn’t benefit from the law change.
Jean-Marc Bosman’s disgust at being discarded by Standard Liege in the 1990s ultimately led to the freedom of movement among out-of-contract footballers; a Bosman transfer. However, the litigious Belgian never reaped the rewards of his legal victory, rapidly spiralling out of the limelight before hitting the nadir of an assault charge in 2013.
Bosman may not have been a beneficiary, but clubs from across Europe continue to exploit the free agent market. Now that we have entered 2023, players in the final six months of their deal are allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with other clubs sniffing out a bargain.
Here are some of the best players still available without a fee.
Leaving: PSG
Age: 35
Position: Forward
Argentina’s World Cup-winning skipper has an option for another year in his current deal with Paris Saint-Germain but is yet to put pen to paper.
At the start of February, 90min confirmed that PSG are pushing Messi for a decision but the 35-year-old – much like his approach on the pitch – will not be rushed.
Leaving: Real Madrid
Age: 35
Position: Striker
In January, Benzema hardly quelled concerns among the Real Madrid fanbase by insisting that he is taking his future “year by year”.
Reports did emerge that Benzema’s Ballon d’Or win automatically renewed the Frenchman’s contract for another year but there has been no confirmation from the club.
Leaving: Borussia Monchengladbach
Age: 25
Position: Winger
After a wholly uncharacteristic spitting incident was swiftly followed by injury derailing Thuram’s second and third seasons in Germany, the 25-year-old has emphatically recovered this season.
Already in double figures domestically, Thuram was an integral option off the bench for World Cup finalists France last winter.
Leaving: Leicester
Age: 25
Position: Central midfielder
After a summer laced with transfer speculation – and a winter window with whispers of a move – Tielemans’ time at Leicester finally appears to be nearing its conclusion.
With his commitment to the Foxes so questionable he was dropped to the bench in August, Tielemans has since returned to midfield, even captaining Leicester in what may well prove to be his final season in the Midlands.
Leaving: Crystal Palace
Age: 30
Position: Winger
A transfer window without a rumoured move for Wilfried Zaha would be unnerving. Like going through the summer months without being reminded Baba Rahman is still technically a Chelsea player.
However, the endless departures Zaha has been touted to take may finally be travelled this window as the 30-year-old winds down his deal at Crystal Palace.
Leaving: Chelsea
Age: 31
Position: Central midfielder
As recently as the 2021 Champions League final – when he was player of the match – N’Golo Kante was being upheld as the best defensive midfielder in European football.
The drop-off has been steep and defined by injury. Since Chelsea’s triumph against Manchester City, Kante has missed 47 matches for the Blues with fitness problems. Chelsea may not be willing to extend but another suitor could bet on an increased availability this summer.
Leaving: Atletico Madrid
Age: 27
Position: Winger
Much like many of Atletico Madrid’s marquee signings in recent seasons, Lemar has struggled to forge a consistent starting spot.
Since his debut campaign in 2018/19 (when he started 22 out of 38 matches) Lemar hasn’t started more than half of Atletico’s La Liga matches. This summer may see the Frenchman find some more minutes.
Leaving: Eintracht Frankfurt
Age: 26
Position: Attacking midfielder
The wispy, wiry creator-in-chief has been an integral figure floating behind Eintracht Frankfurt’s attack for four years, culminating in last season’s Europa League triumph.
With Tottenham and Bayern Munich looming, Kamada could be eyeing up a step up Europe’s footballing ladder this summer.
Leaving: Liverpool
Age: 31
Position: Striker
Jurgen Klopp insisted that “people will write books” about the way Roberto Firmino interpreted the number nine position. However, his chapter as Liverpool’s false nine may come to a close this summer as the 31-year-old heads into the final six months of his deal.
Leaving: Manchester City
Age: 32
Position: Central midfielder
Pep Guardiola’s first-ever signing at Manchester City could be on his way out of the Etihad after seven years in sky blue.
In January, Gundogan admitted “something is missing” at City after a chastening Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton. The presence of the cerebral German could be absent this summer.
Leaving: Juventus
Age: 27
Position: Central midfielder
Despite the infamous negotiating powers of his agent Veronique Rabiot – who happens to be his mother – Rabiot is yet to command a transfer fee in his career.
Four years after Juventus snapped him up for free, Rabiot could leave the Italian giants without any compensation as talks of a contract extension stall over his wage demands – which were too rich for Manchester United last summer.
Leaving: Real Madrid
Age: 27
Position: Winger
By the end of the World Cup, Asensio had made as many starts for Spain on the global stage as he could muster for Real Madrid across all competitions (three).
Since returning from Qatar, Asensio has been unshackled from the sidelines but is yet to meet Madrid officials to discuss any contract renewal.
Leaving: Benfica
Age: 27
Position: Left-back
The prolifically creative full back has been a reliable route to goal in Lisbon since swapping Barcelona’s B team for Benfica as a teenager.
In three of the last four seasons, Grimaldo has hit double digits for combined goals and assists, attracting widespread attention from elsewhere on the continent. Without a transfer fee this summer, Grimaldo may finally leave the Estadio da Luz.
Leaving: Real Madrid
Age: 26
Position: Central midfielder
Until January, Ceballos’ future seemed destined for anywhere outside the Spanish capital. However, a burst of crucial outings in the Copa del Rey seem to have swung the 26-year-old’s future back towards the Santiago Bernabeu.
If Carlo Ancelotti can’t convince Ceballos to commit to Los Blancos, there will be a queue of suitors lining up for the silky midfielder’s signature.
Leaving: Lille
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Jonathan Bamba was hardly alone in experiencing a drop-off after Lille’s sensational title snatch in 2021. However, the 26-year-old has rediscovered his best form for Les Dogues this term, averaging a goal or assist every other game.
Atalanta and Fiorentina – two Italian clubs that have made a habit of snapping up hidden gems in the market – are interested in Bamba.
Leaving: Wolves
Age: 27
Position: Winger
In January, Adama Traore claimed that his uncertain future in Wolverhampton “will depend on the club”.
Traore and his baby-oiled biceps couldn’t convince Barcelona to make his loan move last January permanent. The 27-year-old is keeping his cards close to his huge chest this season. “We’ll see what happens,” he ominously offered at the start of 2023.
Leaving: Borussia Monchengladbach
Age: 27
Position: Winger
Upheaval among Gladbach’s hierarchy, chiefly the departure of long-time sporting director Max Eberl, has undoubtedly contributed to the gaggle of stars approaching the final months of their contract at Borussia Park.
Bensebaini has also informed Gladbach of his intention to leave for free this summer. Borussia Dortmund head a chasing pack which includes Inter and Bayern Munich.
Leaving: Lyon
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Only Kylian Mbappe and Wissam Ben Yedder scored more Ligue 1 goals than Dembele last season. However, the temperamental striker has struggled for game time in a floundering Lyon side this term.
Dembele rejected the chance to join Southampton in January. Perhaps the absence of a transfer fee will tempt an offer Dembele deems suitable this summer.
Leaving: Liverpool
Age: 27
Position: Central midfielder
Four and a half years after Liverpool forked out more than £50m for the spritely midfielder, Keita’s tumultuous, injury-plagued time on Merseyside is drawing to an underwhelming conclusion.
With just two Premier League starts so far in what may prove to be his final Liverpool season, any potential suitors will be gambling on his fitness.
Leaving: Getafe
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Not necessarily the flashiest free agent in this list – and arguably the least – Soria has been a starting La Liga goalkeeper for the last five years.
Across his time at Getafe, the 29-year-old has conceded between nine and ten goals fewer than the average shot-stopper. As a first-choice upgrade for a mid-table club or experienced cover for one of the division’s elite, Soria could be a bargain this summer.
