Tolisso, Ginter and five Bundesliga stars leaving on a Free Transfer
Cameron Smith
- 22 Apr 2022 12:05 BST
- 4 min read
Like every other top league, the Bundesliga will see several of its stars become free agents this summer.
The league has become somewhat famous for free transfer deals, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski leaving Borussia Dortmund to join Bayern Munich upon the expiration of his contract at the Signal Iduna Park.
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Niklas Sule has already agreed a deal the other way when his Bayern deal ends this summer, but there are plenty of others who could follow suit in leaving for no transfer fee during the upcoming window.
READ MORE: https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/2021/04/out-of-contract-in-2022-best-free-agents-available-on-a-bosman
Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe are two high-profile names from the Premier League and Ligue 1 currently available on a free transfer this summer, but here are five of the best examples from the Bundesliga.
Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Perhaps the most well-known name of those Bundesliga players out of contract this summer is Bayern midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
The Frenchman was Bayern's record signing when he joined from Lyon as a 22-year-old in 2017, but his time at the club could soon be over.
Competing with players such as Thiago Alcantara, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka was always bound to be a tough task, but injury problems made them even more difficult for Tolisso.
A very talented player when fully fit, he's missed nearly 100 game through injury since joining, with the 2018/19 season almost completely wiped out due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
In fact, his debut year is the only time he's managed over 20 Bundesliga appearances in a single season and it's meant he's never been able to establish himself in the starting XI.
For such a talented player, it's been a disappointing move. If another club can keep him fit, however, then they'll have a serious player on their hands.
Tottenham and Fenerbache have both been linked.
Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach)
The Germany international has been one of Gladbach's only bright sparks this season as they languish in the bottom half of the table.
Ginter, 28, has been one of the Bundesliga's most reliable presences in recent years and has almost guaranteed his place in Germany's World Cup squad later this year.
Since leaving Borussia Dortmund he's gone from strength to strength and has attracted interest from Premier League side Aston Villa who are in the hunt for a new centre-back.
Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund)
Similar to Tolisso, Axel Witsel has suffered his fair share of injury problems recently. He missed 27 games last season due to an Achilles rupture, but has been back to full fitness this year.
The Belgian has racked up 38 appearances in all competitions and has featured heavily alongside Jude Bellingham in Dortmund's engine room.
He will be missed at the Signal Iduna Park, but would be an excellent steal for a club looking for an experienced head in midfield. He is now 33 years old, however, so if he leaves this summer it could be his last change of clubs. ESPN have reported he could move to the MLS.
Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig)
The versatile defender made over 30 appearances for Leipzig last year, but that tally has dropped to just eight this season due to a major injury that kept him on the treatment table for six months.
He's slowly recovered, but is unlikely to sign a new deal given the state of play with his fitness and aged 30 he looks set to become a free agent.
A consistent figure at the back during Leipzig's early time in the Bundesliga, Halstenberg is capable of playing as a full-back or even in central defence, and that versatility could prove invaluable to a club looking for a new defender this summer.
He is reportedly in talks with the club over a new deal, however.
Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim)
The Austrian international has been the subject of much transfer speculation after his impressive performances at Hoffenheim this season.
Capable of playing in defensive midfield or as a centre-back, Grillitsch has caught the eye with his ball-playing ability and has attracted interest from the likes of AC Milan, Arsenal, Leeds and West Ham.
He has come to the fore this campaign at Hoffenheim and it's coincided with the fact his deal expires this summer. Whoever manages to sign the Austrian will be getting a seriously talented footballer.
