Pogba, Eriksen and the players to move on a Free Transfer this summer

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 2 Sept 2022 22:39 BST
• 8 min read

Paul Pogba, Christian Eriksen, Paulo Dybala and Franck Kessie are just four examples of players to move on a free transfer so far this summer.

Free transfers have become an increasing vital tool for leading clubs in the market, and the summer of 2022 has simply confirmed their importance, with high value players available for transfer without requiring a transfer fee.

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This window has already seen several big moves with no transfer fee attached. For example, Ousmane Dembele decided to sign a second deal Barcelona in order to continue his stay at Camp Nou, but he was a free agent for several days after his first contract the club expired.

On the other hand, his international team-mate Pogba opted to leave Manchester United to re-join Juventus after his deal at Old Trafford expired, although he picked up an injury just weeks into his second spell at Juventus.

However, Pogba isn’t the only free transfer arrival for the Bianconeri this summer, either, with Angel Di Maria also joining the club on a Bosman deal. Paulo Dybala left Turin to join Roma on a free deal.

Barcelona have also been active in the free agent market, picking up Franck Kessie, Marcos Alonso, Hector Bellerin and Andreas Christensen for nothing from Milan and Chelsea respectively.

Luka Jovic’s move to Fiorentina, Arturo Vidal’s transfer to Flamengo and Aaron Ramsey's move to Nice aren’t included in this list as their contracts didn’t expire this month, they were simply let go after a contract termination.

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FootballTransfers lists the key free transfer deals that have taken place so far this summer.

Premier League free transfer signings

Antonio Conte has been reunited with his former Inter Milan pupil Ivan Perisic, while Erik ten Hag has also linked back up with Christian Eriksen, who trained with Ajax and then played for Brentford after leaving San Siro in 2021.

Aston Villa have snatched one of France’s most promising young midfielders in Boubacar Kamara, while Stefan Ortega has arrived as Ederson’s back-up at Manchester City.

Frank Lampard has addressed the issues in the Everton backline by adding Burnley’s James Tarkowski, while Thomas Strakosha will compete with David Raya for a starting spot at Brentford.

Ben Mee joined Tarkowski in leaving Burnley to return to the Premier League, signing for Thomas Frank's Brentford along with Strakosha.

Jesse Lingard was one of a group of players to leave Manchester United upon their contract expiry this summer and has joined Nottingham Forest, despite interest from West Ham.

La Liga free transfer signings

Former Chelsea defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have caught the eye this summer with their moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

The Danish international isn’t the only free transfer arrival at Barcelona this summer though, with Franck Kessie joining from AC Milan.

Axel Witsel has left Borussia Dortmund to join Atletico Madrid, while Copa del Rey winners Real Betis have added the quality of Luiz Felipe and Betis' neighbours Sevilla swooped to bring Isco in from Madrid.

Serie A free transfer signings

Juventus have yet again stolen the headlines in the free transfer market by signing Pogba, Di Maria and Dybala. The Old Lady have been experts in making Bosman moves in recent years, with Andrea Pirlo, Sami Khedira and Pogba himself back in 2012, three examples of successful free transfers.

Pogba’s former Man Utd team-mate Nemanja Matic has also arrived in Serie A, linking up with Jose Mourinho for the third time in his career, this time at Roma.

Liverpool icon Divock Origi has left Anfield to join reigning Scudetto champions AC Milan.

Bundesliga free transfer signings

Bayern have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with free signing Noussair Mazraoui set to provide competition for Benjamin Pavard at right-back.

The Bavarians have lost Niklas Sule, however, on a Bosman deal to their rivals Borussia Dortmund. Former BVB star Matthias Ginter has joined Freiburg from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Ligue 1 free transfer signings

Lyon have dipped into the free transfer market to re-sign two of their former stars. Alexandre Lacazette has returned from Arsenal, while Corentin Tolisso has re-joined from Bayern Munich.

2020/21 champions Lille have strengthened their squad by adding three players on a free transfer, namely Jonas Martin, Remy Cabella and Akim Zedadka.

Marseille, meanwhile, have clinched one of the more eye-catching deals of the summer by bringing in Alexis Sanchez from Inter.

Rest of the World free transfer signings

Gareth Bale’s move from Real Madrid to Los Angeles FC is the biggest free transfer move outside Europe, but it’s one of several to the MLS.

The Wales international will be accompanied by Douglas Costa, Giorgio Chiellini, Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernadeschi and Hector Herrera in the United States.

Both Lucas Leiva and Fernandinho have left Europe to return to Brazil, while Luis Suarez caused a huge stir with his homecoming to Uruguay and boyhood club Nacional. Former Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero also returned to South America, choosing giants Boca Juniors as his next destination.