Benzema, Pogba, Sancho and Sterling: What now for football’s free agents?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that several high-profile footballers are available as free agents after Europe’s summer transfer window closed, meaning they can still be signed by clubs in Europe and elsewhere. The piece focuses on players whose contracts have ended or been terminated, including Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Philippe Coutinho, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.

The article says Pogba, 33, is searching for a new club after serving an 18-month doping ban and having his Monaco deal terminated last month. Benzema, 38, is also looking for his next move after Al-Hilal ended his contract on Monday. Al Jazeera noted that Sancho, 26, has been released by Manchester United after loan spells at Aston Villa and Chelsea, while Sterling’s latest stint at Feyenoord ended after only three months.

The report also says Mahrez, 35, has been released by Saudi club Al Ahli, while Coutinho has taken a break from the game after leaving Vasco da Gama in February. Carvajal and Alaba, both 34, have left Real Madrid this summer, with Alaba’s future linked in the article to possible interest from Manchester United. Al Jazeera framed the situation as a reminder that major transfer business can continue after deadline day, especially for established names who remain unsigned.

More broadly, free agents can often join clubs outside the normal transfer windows because they are not attached to a current contract.