A number of high-profile players, including Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and David Alaba, remain without clubs after the summer transfer window closed.
The Premier League set a new record for spending in the summer window for the second consecutive season, with clubs investing about £3.46bn on players including Enzo Fernandez and Bradley Barcola.
Other leading European leagues also spent heavily, with Yan Diomande, Rodri and Goncalo Ramos among the prominent names involved in moves. Despite that level of activity across the continent, several experienced players have yet to find a new team.
Pogba is one of the most notable names still available. The World Cup winner left Monaco after his contract was terminated following only one season at the club.
He made six appearances for Monaco last season, starting just once, with five of his outings coming from the substitutes’ bench. The midfielder is attracting interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) as he considers the next stage of his career.
Sterling is also a free agent after his contract with Chelsea was terminated. His subsequent spell at Feyenoord did not lead to a permanent arrangement, leaving the 31-year-old searching for another club.
The England winger has experienced a similar decline in fortunes to Sancho, who has had loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa before being released.
Sancho has continued to work on his fitness using the facilities at Flixton FC. The former Manchester United player attracted an enquiry from Qatari club Al Rayyan, but no transfer had been completed at the time of publication.
A further seven players remain in a similar position as the season progresses. They are Yves Bissouma, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riyad Mahrez, Dani Carvajal, Mauro Icardi and Alaba.
The group includes players with experience at leading clubs and in major competitions, but all are currently without a side despite the conclusion of the traditional transfer period.
The closure of the summer window does not end the possibility of a move. The free-agent market remains open to players who have not secured contracts, meaning the ten footballers could still find opportunities in September as they attempt to continue their careers.
