European football free‑agent market 2026

The 2026 summer window continues to see a large pool of high‑profile free agents. Mohamed Salah, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jadon Sancho, Dusan Vlahović, Julian Brandt, Fabinho, John Stones and Yves Bissouma remain unattached, prompting clubs across Europe and the Middle East to monitor their availability. Belgian side Union Saint‑Gilloise has been especially active, signing seven newcomers and adding Belgian youngster Ilan Hurtevent and South African winger Relebohile Mofokeng, while an €2 million bid for Bosnian striker Samed Bazdar was rejected. The club’s further targets include Promise David, Kevin Rodriguez and Marc Giger, with other teams such as Sturm Graz and AIK also scouting the market.

Salah now tops the free‑agent list after leaving Liverpool, with reported negotiations involving Turkish side Beşiktaş and interest from clubs in Europe and the Gulf. Fellow free agents Riyad Mahrez, Ahmed Hegazi and Mohamed Elneny are also attracting attention. Simultaneously, Manchester City midfielder Rodri is linked to a possible move to Real Madrid, where personal‑terms discussions are said to be underway, while City weigh retaining him.

Recent Bosman activity shows clubs beginning to fill gaps: Tottenham Hotspur secured Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi; Real Madrid added Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva; Chicago Fire signed Robert Lewandowski; and Trabzonspor completed a headline‑grabbing free transfer for Salah. Despite these signings, a long list of unattached stars—including Vlahović, Leon Goretzka, Philippe Coutinho, Sergio Ramos, Dele Alli, Andrea Belotti and Raphael Guerreiro—remains on the market as clubs continue to shape their squads ahead of the new season.