Who your club should be looking at: the best out-of-contract footballers Hundreds of footballers, thousands even, see their contracts expire after every season, with uncertainty over their immediate future. These players can […]

Hundreds of footballers, thousands even, see their contracts expire after every season, with uncertainty over their immediate future.

These players can prove highly useful in adding depth to the squad, or allowing a manager to stretch his budget that bit further.

So which players currently without a club should be interesting managers up and down the country? We delved into the out-of-contract list to find out.

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes, 35

Premier League clubs are keen on having two high quality goalkeepers and Valdes would certainly fall into that category, especially as a back-up, if not first-choice. There was a case to be made, only a few seasons ago, for the Spaniard to be the best goalkeeper in the world – certainly the best Spanish goalkeeper. He was integral to the success at Barcelona and showed with Middlesbrough last season that he still possesses the quick reflexes and fine passing ability.

Right-back: Bacary Sagna, 34

Premier League experience in a nutshell. Nearly 400 games for both Arsenal and Manchester City and available on a free. Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, are looking for a different type of full-back but he is still an enticing catch despite being 34. He has evolved with the Premier League, showing his adaptability. Would be a secure signing for a number of Premier League clubs or those abroad looking for elite experience.

Centre-back: Martin Caceres, 30

The long-shorts wearing Uruguayan is another player who can play across the backline. Aggressive and quick, he knows how to defend; more than 100 games for Juventus and 71 caps for Uruguay suggests so. He barely kicked a ball last season so should have plenty left in the legs.

Centre-back: Holger Badstuber, 28

If it wasn’t for injuries the German would not be on this list. Since the end of 2011 Badstuber has missed 220 games through injury, not counting the games he would have racked up for Germany. He is a classy left-footed centre-back. He played 12 games on loan at Schalke 04 in the second half of the season, missing only one squad through a cold. Despite all the injuries he has played 177 times for Bayern Munich, winning a raft of trophies.

Left-back: Benoît Trémoulinas, 31

The French left-back missed all of last season but that should not be a deterrent to clubs. Before injury he was a key asset to a Sevilla side which won back-to-back Europa Leagues. He possesses great energy and pace, able to play as a left-back and left-wing-back, which will appeal to sides looking to shift between a back three and back four. A low-risk signing due to likely low wage demands.

Defensive midfielder: Jan Kirchoff, 28

Sunderland were crying out for his presence in the middle of midfield for much of last season. Injury problems have been an issue throughout the German’s career but he showed in the previous campaign that he can handle himself at the top level when fit. Will unlikely seek a massive wage, making him, like Trémoulinas, a low-risk signing.

Centre midfielder: Tiago, 36

The first thing that jumps out is his age. However, that should not matter when presented with signing a classy presence who has never relied on pace or dynamism. He is an intelligent operator, one who would provide stability in midfield and make those around him play better. Not to mention the experience earned from spells with Champions League regulars Atletico Madrid, Lyon, Benfica, Juventus and Chelsea.

Centre midfielder: Cheikh Ndoye, 31

A veteran midfielder who has played only 65 top-flight games, all in France for unfashionable Angers SCO, isn’t someone who is going to overly excite fans. However, this is a player who has taken his time to reach the upper echelons of French football, while continuing to improve. He helped US Créteil-Lusitanos into Ligue 2 before hitting double-figures twice in the second tier. As he moved on to Angers, Créteil were relegated. At Angers he was appointed captain, scoring 15 goals across two seasons and his dominating midfield performances helped consolidate the club in the top-flight.

Right-wing: Keisuke Honda, 31

The Japanese international has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons in Serie A with AC Milan – it was only in the last campaign that he wasn’t a regular. A player who is more technical than he is physical, Honda offers a goal threat behind the striker or from out wide. Like many on the list, if Sam Allardyce was still at Bolton Wanderers his eyes would be widening. Nearly 300 games in three European countries and 90 caps for Japan highlights experience and adaptability. Plus his signing would appease the marketing men.

Left-wing: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 28

The Cameroonian’s contract ended with Schalke 04 on 1 July but he has yet to be snapped up, perhaps due to a cruciate ligament injury in April. Despite a below-par 2016/2017 campaign, Choupo-Moting will be a shrewd addition to a number of sides. He has pace and power, and cutting in from the left-wing he is a goal threat. Saying that, he should score and assist more than he does.

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35

It was 2005/2006, 11 seasons ago, when Ibra last finished a season scoring less than 20 goals in all competitions. Since then the figures read: 30, 22, 29, 21, 22, 35, 35, 41, 30, 50, 28. He may still be injured but there was talk when he passed his medical last summer at Manchester United that the staff had not seen results like it. The Swede is an immaculate specimen and guarantees goals. Worth the substantial outlay on wages.