(Gloucestercitynews.net)(June 25, 2020)--The second half of the 2019/2020 season was interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic but nothing has stopped the transfer rumors. Most of the top leagues are finalizing their campaigns and players are already making summer moves. Well, there are plenty of high profile players whose contracts run out at the end of this season. Let us look at the top 10 free agents at the end of the 2019/2020 season. 

1. Edison Cavani

The Uruguay international has had a remarkable spell in the PSG and has been pivotal since his signature for the Paris side in 2013. Cavani caught the eye of the French heavyweights after a brilliant stint in Napoli where he saw the back of the net for more than 30 times in three consecutive seasons. He is still one of the top-rated strikers considering he has since scored 200 goals for PSG in 300 appearances. 

Everything was going well for the Uruguay star at PSG but slowly found himself surplus to requirement following the purchase of Neymar and the maverick contribution of Kylian Mbappe in the goal. Under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel, opportunities have become hard for the Uruguayan and this explains why the 33-year-old is among the top 10 free agents expected to leave this summer.

2. David Silva

Signed from Valencia in 2010, the Spanish international quickly established himself and became a consistent ingredient in the heart of Manchester City’s midfield. His quality alongside Yaya Toure, Sergio Aquero, and Vincent Company helped to spearhead Manchester City to the EPL title having waited for 44 years.  Every time he steps on the pitch, David Silva never disappoints despite a change in managers over the years. At 34, he still has got much to offer in midfield for any club that would win his signature. He recently announced that he would see through his contract this season and ply his soccer trade-in another club as he winds up his magnificent career. No current player in the EPL surpasses his assist tally of 90. 

3. Willian

It is difficult to put Willian’s 7-year spell at Chelsea in a single sheet of paper. No one can deny he has been magnificent for the blues. Even when Frank Lampard went for young and talented players coming through Chelsea academy, Willian has still had an impact. Willian is a free agent at the end of the season after contract negotiations with Chelsea stalled. The Brazilian wanted a three-year deal but Chelsea’s policy of aged players allows a maximum of a 2-year contract. 

4. Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens has been a subject of transfer speculation for several consecutive seasons. After signing for Napoli from PSV Eindhoven in 2013, he has racked up 121 goals in 309 appearances. His goal against Inter-Milan in the Coppa Italia booked them a spot in the finals where they beat Juventus in the penalty shootouts. At 32, Mertens still has a lot to offer as a striker, and it is easy to see why several valuable clubs are circling for his signature. He has 90 caps for his Belgium national team and even won Belgium’s player of the year award in 2016. 

5. Mario Gotze

Mario Gotze was once a highly coveted player across Europe and Bayern Munich managed to price him away from their rivals Borussia Dortmund. However, things did not unravel well for the young attacking midfielder in Bayern as he thought. A series of injuries hampered his development and was soon deemed surplus to requirement in Bayern. 

He opted back for his old club in a bid to rediscover his form but again injuries have reduced his playtime. To put it on perspective, he has missed a total of 107 games due to injury since 2010 and has never played over 30 games in any single season since the 2014/2015 campaign. However, he will be remembered for winning Germany the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a late strike.

6. Adam Lallana

Liverpool snatched Lallana from Southampton in 2013 on a 25 million deal. He has since shown flashes of quality but injuries have been deterrent. Since the start of the 2017/18 campaign, Lallana has only made less than 50 premier league appearances. At 31, it is hard to find playing time in a Liverpool squad with amazing depth. He needs to find a new club to stand a recall to the national team he lastly played for in 2018. 

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan is a star who has won nearly every coveted competition in Europe.  He has been one of the best strikers for close to 2 decades. At 38 though, the sun is setting on what has been an illustrious career. Having switched back to AC Milan, he has helped steady the Rossoneri ship that has rocked for years. He joined on a six-month contract that expires at the end of the season. 

8. Thomas Meunier

Thomas Meunier has had a mixed spell in PSG and hasn’t been able to make the right-back position his own. He has spent his time fighting with the likes of Colin Dogba for his place in the team. The 28-year-old Belgian is a versatile player who can also play in a more advanced role in the midfield. He has scored 55 goals in his career and any club that lures him will benefit from his eye for the goal as well. 

9. Pedro Rodriguez 

Pedro is another player who has won it all in Europe. He is one of the most decorated players in the football world. 

Having switched Barcelona for Chelsea, Pedro established himself as one of the consistent names in the team sheet. Now at 32, he is looking at Serie A when his contract expires at the end of the season. 

10. Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen's contract was set to expire in June. However, he has signed a short-term contract to keep him in the club till the end of the season when he will become a free agent. The Belgian center-back has been crucial for Tottenham over the past years but the stalling contract agreements have made it difficult to tie him down with the North-London club. It is interesting to see whether he will commit his signature to Tottenham or will look for greener pastures. 

Wrap up

There are scores of good players available as free agents when the season comes to an end. It will be a fight between interested clubs to lure them into their team in the coming months. Just keep tabs and see how this will pan out!