Signing free agents is always a risk. The player might not be at full fitness, his form may have declined, leaving only his former achievements to testify for his skills. But some free agent recruitments have proven to be the perfect deal, changing the course of their new team.
Now we’re going to take a look at the best free agents available on the market right now. Who can your club sign for no fee and turn out to be inspirational signing?
Best Free Agents January 2020
1. Nico Gaitan
This 31-year old Argentinian is a three-time Portuguese champion and Europa League winner with Benfica – the club where we enjoyed the most success. He made over 250 appearances for Benfica before joining Atletico Madrid, where he couldn’t be as effective.
Gaitan is a former Argentina international with 19 games and 2 goals for his country. He last played for Chicago Fire in the MLS and has been a free agent since January 1, 2020.
- Former clubs: Boca Juniors, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, DL Yifang, Chicago Fire
- Position: AM, Winger
- Age: 31
2. Younousse Sankhare
Sankhare has never played outside France, but he has very valuable experience, having played for top clubs like PSG, Lille, and Bordeaux. He’s a two-time French cup winner, born in France, but representing Senegal on an international level.
The midfielder has been out of contract since November 20, 2019, after he departed Bordeaux by mutual consent. Rumors have previously linked Sankhare with clubs like Sheffield United, and Leganes, but he is yet to sign for a new club.
- Former clubs: PSG, Reims, Dijon, Valenciennes, Guingamp, Lille, Bordeaux
- Position: CM, DM
- Age: 30
3. Vladimir Weiss
The Slovakian international has probably become a much more popular name in Qatar in recent years, rather than Europe. He spent the last six years playing in the Qatar Stars League for Al Duhail, and Al Gharafa. And Weiss has been quite prolific there as well, scoring 48 goals – compared to 21 goals in his entire career beforehand.
The question remains whether the player, who’s agent is Mino Raiola, will choose to stay in the Qatar Stars League or decide to return to Europe, maybe even try the MLS?
- Former clubs: Man City, Bolton, Rangers, Espanyol, Pescara, Olympiacos, Al Duhail, Al Gharafa
- Position: Winger
- Age: 30
4. Martin Olsson
With over 300 games in English football, Olsson looks like the ideal pick for a free signing to fill in the left are of the defense. He also has 48 games for Sweden, having played in the last two Euro Cup competitions, and featuring for his country at the World Cup in 2018.
The last news surrounding the defender was that he was invited to go on trial at West Brom, who seemed keen on adding him to their team. Still, there are no official updates regarding Olsson’s future as of this date.
- Former clubs: Blackburn, Norwich, Swansea
- Position: LB
- Age: 31
5. Freddy Guarin
Guarin enjoyed a silverware-heavy stay in Portuguese dominant Porto, winning a total of 9 trophies with the club, including the Europa League. The 33-year old also has a solid 100+ games in Serie A for Inter; a former international with 58 games for Colombia, playing at the 2014 World Cup, where Colombia reached the quarter-finals.
He last defended the colors of Brazilian team Vasco da Gama, but at 33 can still be a proper addition to a number of clubs around the globe.
- Former clubs: Boca Juniors, Saint Ettiene, Porto, Inter, SH Shenhua, Vasco da Gama
- Position: CM, DM
- Age: 33
6. Diafra Sakho
Sakho was released by Rennais on January 1, 2020, despite having six months left on his contract. Initial rumors we quick to bring him back to England, where he arguably enjoyed his most prolific stint at West Ham. Yet, Sakho remains a free agent for now and up for grabs.
He’s played for Senegal’s national team 13 times and even though it looks like his career has been on a downward spiral in recent years, Sakho still has time to prove his worth again.
- Former clubs: Metz, Boulogne, West Ham, Bursaspor, Rennais
- Position: CF
- Age: 30
7. Vurnon Anita
A three-time Dutch champion with Ajax, Anita has been without a club since September 2019 after he was released by Leeds. The 30-year old veteran is a versatile player who can be used at both wings at defense, as well as a defensive midfielder.
He has more than 100 games in both the Eredivisie and Premier League. Anita said back in September 2019 that he’s happy to wait for the right opportunity and such may not be too far away in time.
- Former clubs: Ajax, Newcastle, Leeds, Willem II
- Position: DM, LB, RB
- Age: 30
That was Athletic Panda’s pick on the top free agents available right now. Did we miss someone? Let us know in the comments below.
