Who are the free agents after transfer deadline day?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reported after the 2026 summer transfer window closed that a large group of well-known players remained free agents and could still be signed outside the deadline. The piece highlighted a mix of former Premier League, La Liga and Saudi Pro League names who were no longer tied to clubs, including Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, Jadon Sancho, Dani Carvajal, Jamie Vardy, David Alaba and Sergio Ramos.

According to the article, several of the departures were linked to contract terminations or expirations in recent months. Pogba left Monaco after injuries and a long spell away from regular football following a doping ban. Benzema’s deal with Al Hilal was terminated after only a short spell in Saudi Arabia, while Mahrez is also said to have had his Saudi Pro League contract ended and may be close to another move in the same league. Sterling was released by Feyenoord after a brief stay, and Sancho remains without a permanent club after a run of loan spells away from Manchester United.

The list also included experienced defenders and forwards whose contracts ran out or who were released after recent seasons, such as Carvajal, Vardy, Alaba and Ramos. BBC Sport also named a wider group of available players, including Jordan Ayew, Dele Alli, Joselu, Anthony Martial, Conor Coady, Wilfried Zaha, James Rodriguez, Tyrell Malacia, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Solly March, Georginio Wijnaldum and Yves Bissouma. The broader point is that, even after deadline day, clubs can still add proven players on free transfers.