Transfer Centre

Out-of-contract Premier League XI

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 June 2019

A number of high-profile names are free agents this summer, but what is the best XI which can be selected from players who are leaving Premier League clubs?

The summer transfer window is yet to hot up, but Premier League clubs are expected to spend record amounts of money on new players over the next six weeks.

However, that is not to say that it will not be possible to pick out some bargains as a result of a number of high-profile names becoming free agents on July 1.

Many players around the world will currently be entertaining each and every contract offer which they receive from interested clubs, but there are some stars who can afford to bide their time and wait for the terms which suit them.

Here, Sports Mole puts together a first XI chosen from Premier League players who are all expected to move on to pastures new in the near future.

Adrian has been a solid performer between the sticks for West Ham United over the past six seasons, making a total of 150 appearances in all competitions. The 32-year-old may be searching for a return to Spain this summer.

Danny Simpson helped Leicester City to a Premier League title during the 2015-16 campaign but the right-back made just three starts in the top flight during the most campaign, meaning that it is probably the right time to find a new challenge.

Gary Cahill has enjoyed a hugely successful period with Chelsea but like with Simpson, the centre-back may welcome the chance to take his pick from a lengthy list of interested teams. We expect the 33-year-old to remain in the Premier League or move to one of European football's top leagues.

Another veteran centre-back on the move is Phil Jagielka. The soon-to-be former Everton man turns 37 in August, which could lead to the ex-England international signing for a lower-end Premier League team or promotion-challenging Championship club.

Alberto Moreno has spent much of the season on the bench at Liverpool, and it came as no surprise when the European champions confirmed his exit earlier this month. The left-back looks likely to sign for La Liga outfit Villarreal.

Manchester United would have liked to keep Ander Herrera at Old Trafford, but the Spaniard is on the move this summer. The midfielder should be confirmed as a Paris Saint-Germain player in the coming days.

Newcastle United have been contending with the uncertainty surrounding the future of Rafael Benitez, but that has not stopped Mohamed Diame being released on a free transfer. The 32-year-old will not be short of offers after his relatively-surprising departure from St James' Park.

Shinji Okazaki is another player who helped Leicester to glory three years ago, although the playmaker was nothing more than a squad player this season. Twenty of his 21 outings came from the bench, and the Japanese will want first-team football going forward.

In an attempt to free up space on their wage bill, Arsenal have decided to release Danny Welbeck. The versatile attacker could have arguably been an asset for the Gunners during the next campaign, but expect to see the England international sign for a club outside of the top six.

Like with Welbeck, clubs may have reservations regarding the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, who appears set to leave Liverpool. However, some big clubs will likely be prepared to take a risk on the 29-year-old after he was a regular fixture in Jurgen Klopp's squad.

Andy Carroll has been receiving a big wage at West Ham United since 2013, but the injury-hit target man will likely have to take a pay cut at his next club. The 30-year-old will have options both in the Premier League and abroad.