10 free agents still available to London clubs including ex-Man Utd, West Ham & Leeds United stars

The January transfer window is fast approaching and a number of Premier League clubs will see it as a crucial opportunity to bolster their squad and iron out any weaknesses within their team.

The winter window can often make or break a team’s season and many club’s are expected to spend heavily on new recruits to achieve their end of season goals.

However, it is also important for team’s to adhere to the league’s financial fair play regulations which in many cases will limit what a team is allowed to spend. With that in mind LondonWorld has rounded up some of the best free agents that are available to sign in or before January, including a former Premier League winner, a 31-time Brazil international and ex-West Ham and Leeds United stars.

10 free agents which are still available to sign

1. David De Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is arguably the most surprising name in this list. The 45-time Spanish international has been without a club since leaving the Red Devils at the end of last season. During his time at Old Trafford he made over 545 appearances in all competitions and ranks as the club’s seventh highest ever appearance maker.

The five-time PFA Team of The Year appearance maker lifted one Premier League title, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League during an incredible 12-year stint at the club.

2. Jesse Lingard

Ex-Man United star Jesse Lingard is another player who has been without a club since the end of last season. Lingard famously starred for West Ham during a loan spell in 2021, scoring 9 goals in 16 appearances and was tipped to return to the Hammers after training with the club during pre-season.

Another spell at Al-Ettifaq on a training contract followed, but as of yet neither David Moyes or Steven Gerrard has taken a gamble on the 30-year-old midfielder with 32 caps for England.

3. Douglas Costa

31-time Brazilian international Douglas Costa was once regarded as a feared winger in European football as he lifted three league titles with both Bayern Munich and Juventus.

At the peak of his powers he was renowned for his excellent pace and dribbling ability but he has been without a club since the end of last season when he left LA Galaxy.

4. Helder Costa

Wolves and Leeds United fans were both treated to good memories of Helder Costa during his time in the Championship, but he struggled to translate that same form into the Premier League.

The winger is blessed with incredible pace and trickery but is still searching for a new club at 29-years of age.

5. Anwar El Ghazi

Netherland winger Anwar El Ghazi was a key member of the Aston Villa team which won promotion to the Premier League, while has also played a big role in helping the club survive in the top-flight.

He has since had a brief two game loan spell with Everton before returning to Holland with PSV. El Ghazi was snapped up on a free transfer by Mainz 05 in the summer, but was subsequently released over comments relating to the ongoing Israel-Palestine war.

6. Papiss Cisse

Newcastle United fans will have fond memories of Papiss Cisse who struck up a sensational partnership with Demba Ba to guide the club to 5th in 2011/12. Cisse scored 44 goals for the Magpies in all competitions before departing in 2016 and he has since enjoyed successful spells in Turkey and China.

The 38-year-old’s most recent spell saw him scored 10 goals in 21 games for Amiens last season in the French second tier. The Senegalese international is determined to carry on playing football and is currently training with Macclesfield Town - but could he roll back the years for a top-flight club?

7. Mamadou Sakho

Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has bags of Premier League experience which earned him recognition for the French national team on 29 occasions during the peak of his powers.

Sakho’s most recent spell in football ended in controversial circumstances when he was released by Montpellier in November for a training ground altercation with his manager.

8. Timo Horn

Timo Horn’s 21-year association with FC Koln came to an end in the summer and the 30-year-old is now hoping to revive his career with a new club.

The 6ft4 goalkeeper amassed over 299 appearances in the league during his time with the club and played a vital role in helping them win two second division titles.

9. Jerome Boateng

Jerome Boateng enjoyed a brief one-year-stint at Manchester City in the early years of the club’s takeover, but he is best remembered for a 10-year stint at Bayern Munich where he won every trophy in sight: including nine Bundesliga titles, two Champions League and five German cups.

On the international stage the 76-time international also helped Germany to World Cup glory in 2014. The 35-year-old’s most recent spell in football saw him make 32 appearances in two years for Lyon. He has been without a club since the end of last season, but could offer a team vital experience at the back.

10. Phil Jones

31-year-old defender Phil Jones is currently taking his coaching badges as he considers his future in the game. Jones made 169 Premier League appearances for Manchester United and helped the club lift the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

He was once hailed by Alex Ferguson as one of the best young players he had seen, but his later career has been plagued by injury problems.