Benzema, Pogba, Sancho and Sterling: What now for football’s free agents?

The transfer window in Europe may have shut for the summer, but a number of well known players could still make major moves.

Even though the next transfer window doesn’t open until January, players without a contract are still able to be signed by clubs in Europe…and indeed across the globe.

Al Jazeera takes a look at who could still be snapped up – and for free.

The rise and fall of Paul Pogba will forever be one of the great frustrations of his fans and the clubs he played for.

The 33-year-old served an 18-month doping ban to March 2025, but injuries have meant he has played little football since and his contract with Monaco was terminated last month.

The Frenchman joined Monaco on a two-year deal from Juventus last summer, but the 2018 World Cup winner with France played only six games for the French club.

A fellow World Cup winner alongside Pogba – and a former Ballon d’Or winner – Karim Benzema is also hunting for a new club. The 38-year-old’s contract in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal was terminated on Monday.

Benzema moved from Real Madrid in 2023 to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, where he spent three seasons and was only six months into his Al-Hilal contract.