The summer transfer window has now been and gone. Clubs around Europe and beyond have had their chance to sign the talent they see fit to aid their squads in the season ahead.

Club spent big money on some of the biggest stars on the planet with the likes of Julian Alvarez making an £81million switch from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid.

However, the biggest deal of all was actually a free transfer. Kylian Mbappe finally got his move to Real Madrid after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain came to an end.

Not all big-name players were lucky enough to get a move this summer, though. Several stars who became free agents in the summer remain without a club.

Mail Sport has put together a starting XI of the best free agents available on the market, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Keylor Navas is a big name player who is a free agent after leaving PSG after a five-year stay

Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas

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It's surprising that a serial winner such as Keylor Navas is yet to find a club after a summer of searching. The Costa Rican goalkeeper left PSG upon the expiration of his contract following five trophy-laden years at the club.

Now 37 years of age, Navas seemed destined to sign for Serie A club Monza earlier this summer, but a deal collapsed just before his medical was set to take place.

Navas has had a career glittering with gold. He spent five years at Real Madrid between 2014 and 2019, winning three Champions League titles in the process. 

And while Navas is not getting any younger, his capabilities inbetween the sticks, alongside his expereince, could still make him a valuable assest for clubs in Europe. His brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2023 proved he still has what it takes to play at the top level.

Defender: Alex Telles

Some players in this list have been on the market for a while, but not Alex Telles. The former Manchester United left-back only saw his contract at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr terminated on Monday.

The Brazilian full-back has become available after just 12 months in Saudi, where he linked up for with former United team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo. He featured 38 times for the club, netting three times in all competitions for the club.

The 31-year-old has a strong CV that could make him appealing for a mutitude of clubs. He made 50 appearances during two seasons at United before winning the Europa League on loan at Sevilla. His experience at the top level would make a solid signing for a bottom-half Premier League club.

Defender: Mats Hummels

Just three months ago, Mats Hummels stepped out onto the Wembley turf to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund. Now, he is without a club.

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Hummels was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic ahead of the final, and just days later, the pair left the club following a 2-0 defeat in European Football's showstopper at the hands of Los Blancos.

The German centre-back is available after making 508 appearances for Dortmund during two spells at the club, winning two Bundesliga titles with the club in his early days, before adding three more at Bayern Munich before his return.

The 35-year-old was a rock at the back last campaign and proved he still has plenty in the tank at the highest level of football in Europe. Bologna came close to securing his services in the summer, but a deal fell through.

Defender: Joel Matip 

This is not the first time Joel Matip has been a free agent, and the last time he was picked up it proved pretty successful. After leaving Schalke in 2016, he joined Liverpool for nothing before spending eight triumphant years on Merseyside.

The Cameroonian defender became a pivotal part of the Reds' success under Jurgen Klopp, forming a colossal partnership with Virgil van Dijk. Sitting at the heart of defence next to the Dutchman, Matip helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2019, before bringing home the ellusive Premier League title a year later. 

However, a succession of injury issues, including an ACL injury in Decemeber of last year, led to Matip's time on Merseyside coming to an end in May. Bayer Leverkusen have been linked with the defender, but he still currently awaits his next move.

Defender: Sergio Ramos 

Yes, Sergio Ramos is a free agent. I was shocked when I learned that he had not been snapped up this summer, but at 38 years old, no teams seem to be taking a punt on the once-great Real Madrid centre-half.

Ramos became available after his one-year contract at Sevilla expired at the end of last season, and has been rumoured to be on his way to Saudi Arabia. However, after turning the Saudi Pro League down last season, it seems he may do so again.

The former Real Madrid defender is one of the greats of the game. He captained Los Blancos to four Champions League titles during his 16 years in the Spanish capital and cemented his status as one of the best centre-halfs in history.

In our side, though, we have put him at right-back. As he rose through the ranks, Ramos showed his versatility across the back four. While his career is nearing an end, the Spaniard could still do a solid job for many top teams around the world.

Midfielder: Miralem Pjanic

Miralem Pjanic was deemed one of Europe's top talents while at Juventus between 2016 and 2020, but these days the midfielder is clambering for a club after parting ways with UAE side Sharjah.

The Bosnian's fall from grace has been rather spectacular, as only three years ago he was donning the colours of Barcelona. However, his time in Catalonia did not go to plan and he spent his final season at the club on loan at Turkish side Besiktas.

While Pjanic's downfall has been swift, the 34-year-old still has the talent to aid clubs across Europe. He would do a job for a side at the lower end of the table looking to secure their status in the division.

Midfielder: Adrien Rabiot   

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Adrien Rabiot has not been short of options this summer, that's for sure. The French midfielder has accrued the interest of several Premier League sides, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Rabiot has formed a partnership with Pjanic in the past, playing alongside him for a solitary season while at Juventus. Another four years at the Old Lady followed before Rabiot's time at the club came to an end this summer.

The 29-year-old is still very much an option for Europe's top clubs. He featured five times for France at Euro 2024, helping them reach the semi-final. Rabiot still has a lot to give at the highest level, it's no surprise that both Inter Milan and Bayern Munich were also interested in his signature during the window.

Attacking-midfielder: Dele Alli

There was once a time when Dele Alli was viewed as a generational talent. While at Tottenham, the Englishman was majestic. His composure married with skill and an abundance of attacking quality made him one of football's most wanted players.

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He was just 19 years of age when he took the Premier League by storm, rising to prominence in the early years of his spell at Tottenham. Unfortunately, after leaving Spurs in 2022 for Everton, the Alli we once lauded became a player who struggled to get minutes.

Last year, we found out why. Alli bravely revealed to the world that he was abused as a child. Since his emotional interview with Gary Neville in July 2023, Alli has been working hard behind the scenes to return to the sport.

His contract at Everton has come to an end and once fit and firing again, Alli has the potential to be a game-changer for a multitude of different clubs. At just 28, the midfielder still has time on his side.

Forward: Ivan Perisic

When you are praised as one of the best Croatian players to ever live, you are probably pretty good. That is the title Ivan Perisic has been given by many in his homeland over the years, but in 2024 he is without a club.

The left-winger has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe during an 18-year career, including Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham. However, now 35 years of age, Perisic has just seen his return to Croatia with Hadjuk Split come to a close.

Perisic only featured 12 times over the course of a year for Split, scoring just a solitary goal in that time. Yes, those statistics are not the best, but based on the player I saw bomb up and down the wing for Spurs a season earlier, he still has a bit left in the tank.

Links have been few and far between of late, but if Perisic decides to keep lacing up his boots and playing, I'm sure we will see him rock up at a club soon.

Forward: Anthony Martial

The curious case of Anthony Martial. Another player who was deemed to take the sport by storm who has fallen short of their potential. When Martial joined Manchester United in 2015, many thought he would be the next big thing.

In his early days in the north west, it looked like he would live up to the hype. However, nine years after he first walked through the doors at Old Trafford, Martial decided to walk away from the club after an unsuccessful end to his time in England.

The Frenchman netted 63 times in 209 games at United, but only one of those came in his final season at the club, following a loan spell at Spanish side Sevilla. There is no doubt that a European side will take a chance on Martial soon, we just wait to see who it will be.

Forward: Memphis Depay

Last but not least, we have Memphis Depay. The Dutch forward is another player who failed to live up to the hype at United. However, since departing the club in 2017, he has gone on to have a largely successful career.

The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after spending just a season-and-a-half at Atletico Madrid, where he managed nine goals in 31 appearances, despite mainly being utilised off the bench.

Depay's best days came while at Lyon between 2017 and 2021, but he also showed his quality during two years at Barcelona. 

He may not be on the books of a top club at the time of writing, but soon enough he will be snapped up.