The new Premier League season is just a matter of days away and there has been contrasting fortunes for top-flight clubs in this summer’s transfer window.
On one side of the coin you have newly-promoted Nottingham Forest who have brought in 12 players as they prepare for their first season back in the big time for 23 years.
And then you have Leicester City who are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing.
With the summer market open for another 30 days, there is plenty of time for the Foxes and other Premier League clubs to bolster their squads with new signings.
With the 2022-23 campaign upon us, several former Premier League stars remain unemployed.
With that in mind, HITC Sport has put together a Premier League free agents XI.
Former Premier League XI that remain free agents
GK – Sergio Romero
The former Manchester United stopper is available after spending last season with Italian outfit Venezia.
The 35-year-old couldn’t prevent his former employers from getting relegated, but the Argentina international who won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League with the Red Devils will be hoping to find a new club.
Romero’s appearances for United predominantly came in the cup competitions and he registered 39 clean sheets from 61 matches during his six-year stay at Old Trafford.
According to the Express, Romero would be keen on a return to the Theatre of Dreams, but it isn’t something United are receptive to right now.
RB – Serge Aurier
After spending last season with La Liga giants Villarreal, the former Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham Hotspur right-back is back on the market.
RMC Sport reported last month that the 29-year-old was the subject of interest from newly-promoted Fulham, but the Cottagers didn’t step up their reported interest and they’ve since signed former Newcastle man Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg.
CB – Jason Denayer
The former Manchester City and Sunderland man is a free agent after his four-year stay with Lyon came to an end.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Belgium looks to be closing in on a move to Serie A side Torino.
CB – Eliaquim Mangala
Signed for £32m by Manchester City from Porto eight years ago, the Frenchman’s career has suffered an almighty nosedive.
The 31-year-old is a free agent after his short-term contract with Saint-Etienne wasn’t renewed.
LB – Djibril Sidibe
The 2018 World Cup winner, who spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Everton, has left Monaco after joining the French giants from rivals Lille six years ago.
The 30-year-old who can play at right-back or left-back was part of the star-studded Monaco side that won the Ligue 1 title and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17.
According to the Sun, the 18-time France international is keen on a return to England as he looks to retain his place in Les Bleus’ 2022 World Cup squad.
DM – Cheikhou Kouyate
Despite wanting to stay at Crystal Palace, the 32-year-old’s four-year stint at Selhurst Park came to an end after failing to agree a new contract.
According to the Mail, the former West Ham man wanted a two-year deal but the Londoners only offered him an additional 12 months.
The 2022 African Cup of Nations winner made 141 appearances for the Eagles and he’s currently on the lookout for a new club.
CM – Danny Drinkwater
The former Leicester City man’s difficult five-year affiliation with Chelsea came to an end when Drinkwater’s contract with the Blues expired at the end of June.
The Blues splashed out £35m to sign the former England international in 2017 but Drinkwater was unable to replicate the influential form that helped guide the Foxes to Premier League glory.
The 32-year-old spent last season on loan at Championship side Reading and he seemingly faces a tall order getting himself back to playing week in, week out in the top-flight.
CM – Juan Mata
The charismatic Spaniard’s nine-and-a-half year stay at the Theatre of Dreams came to an end this summer and the 34-year-old is one of the biggest free agent names across Europe.
According to Spanish outlet AS, United’s fierce rivals Leeds are interested in signing the playmaker but nothing has progressed since the Whites’ initial interest was reported on.
The World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winner scored 51 goals and laid on 47 assists from 285 games for the Reds following his £37.1m move from Chelsea when David Moyes was in charge.
AM – Adnan Januzaj
At the age of 27, the Belgium international is entering his prime years and after failing to fulfil his burgeoning potential, a return to the Premier League where Januzaj may feel he has unfinished best business could be his best option.
ST – Diego Costa
Wouldn’t it be fun having the fiery former Spain international back causing carnage in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano where he could link up with fellow former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.
Costa has been without a club since January after terminating his contract with Atletico Mineiro. The two-time Premier League winner scored 58 goals from 120 games for the Stamford Bridge side before falling out with Antonio Conte and moving back to Atletico.
ST – Edinson Cavani
According to MARCA, the former Manchester United striker looks to be heading for a reunion with his former Paris Saint Germain boss Unai Emery at Villarreal.
After a promising first season at Old Trafford, the 35-year-old struggled with injuries and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo during his second campaign with the Reds.
With the World Cup on the horizon, United’s former number 21 will want to stay fit and playing in Spain will mean that El Matador has played in Spain, England, France and Italy.
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