The 2026-27 Premier League season is fast approaching but there are still plenty of players yet to secure their club futures.
Whether by choice or force, contracts have been run down and career paths changed.
BBC Sport takes a look at some of the notable out-of-contract players who were playing for a club in the English top flight last season.
John Stones, 32 (Last club: Manchester City)
Stones now left City after a decade at the club in which he won 15 major trophies. Picked for England by Thomas Tuchel despite recent injury issues, Stones has most recently been linked with former club Everton and Italian giants AC Milan.
Mohamed Salah, 33 (Last club: Liverpool)
Salah's last few months at Anfield were not easy as his relationship with boss Arne Slot appeared to disintegrate. Both have now left Liverpool. It was widely expected Salah would move to the Saudi Pro League once the World Cup was over but he has since been linked with a move to Turkish club Besiktas.
Jadon Sancho, 26 (Last club: Manchester United)
It has been a turbulent few years for Sancho since joining United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in 2021 and he has spent the last two and-a-half years playing elsewhere on loan, most recently at Aston Villa following a lacklustre period at Chelsea. Sancho made just 30 Premier League appearances for United but has reportedly received an offer from Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
Yves Bissouma, 29 (Last club: Tottenham Hotspur)
Mali midfielder Bissouma made just 11 top-flight appearances last season as he struggled with injury and off-field issues at Spurs. He is reportedly keen on staying in the Premier League, with Fulham said to be interested.
Stefan Ortega, 33 (Last club: Nottingham Forest)
Former Manchester City number two goalkeeper Ortega made 10 appearances across all competitions for Forest last season. A move to Greek side Olympiacos is potentially close.
Tyrell Malacia, 26 (Last club: Manchester United)
A difficult four-year spell at United for the Dutch left-back was marred by injuries and long stints on the sidelines. A chronic knee issue requiring surgery kept him out for over 500 days, causing him to miss the entire 2023–24 campaign. He has made just 11 appearances across all competitions since.
Adama Traore, 30 (Last club: West Ham)
Traore was released by the Hammers in the wake of their relegation to the Championship after just six months at the club. The powerful Spanish winger has been linked with a move back to Wolves, where he spent five years.
Other Premier League players who are out of contract:
Solly March, 32 (Last club: Brighton & Hove Albion)
Adam Webster, 31 (Last club: Brighton & Hove Albion)
Joel Veltman, 34 (Last club: Brighton & Hove Albion)
Nathaniel Clyne, 35 (Last club: Crystal Palace)
Seamus Coleman, 37 (Last club: Everton)
Emil Krafth, 31 (Last club: Newcastle United)
Willy Boly, 35 (Last club: Nottingham Forest)
Bertrand Traore, 30 (Last club: Sunderland)
