Best Free Agents and Strikers with Contract Expiring in 2021/2022

Strikers have been the most expensive positions to strengthen in football. A good striker usually comes at the cost of two midfielders or three defenders which has left every club in the world, even the richest, seeking for bargain signings to acquire. And bargains don’t come better than the best free agents.

Football’s hiatus and the lengthy absence of fans have forced most clubs into a financial dilemma. This has left them unable to make big-money signings or extend the contracts of their frontmen.

Without further ado, here are the best free agents in the world, strikers edition. We have previously covered one for midfielders.

Best Free Agents and Strikers with Contract Expiring in 2021

6.Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is now officially a free agent after his enormous four-year, €500 million Barcelona contract expired at the stroke of midnight on July. The Argentina international’s deal was the largest signed by an athlete in sports history, even eclipsing the contracts offered to the leading lights in the NFL, MLB and NBA.

Furthermore, Barca are working on a renewal for their talisman, but a combination of the club’s €1 billion debt, the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial fair play rules means that they will not be able to offer Messi a new deal anywhere near as big as the one which has just lapsed.

5. Diego Costa

Nationality: Spanish

Why Diego Costa is still a free agent after long being released by Atletico Madrid remains a misery. The 30-year-old’s CV speaks for itself with: a two-time English champion, one Spanish champion and a Europa League winner, Costa has quite the trophy cabinet.

He was released in January, after proving surplus to requirements and has since been offered to every club in Europe.

4. Moussa Marega

Nationality: Malian

Moussa Marega, who has scored over 70 goals for Portuguese giants, Porto, will be a free agent this summer. The player has struggled this season, but at 30, is still a handful to any defence, as evident in his manhandling of the revered Juventus defence.

The Malian powerhouse is worth over €14 million which ranks him high on this list of best free agents in 2021.

3. Santos Borre

Nationality: Colombian

One of the deadliest finishers in 2020 in South America is free in June and few clubs are showing interest. Borre scored 12 goals in 19 goals in the Copa De La Liga and Libertadores as South American football was shutdown by the pandemic.

The 25-year-old is already a Colombian international and would be a shrewd addition to any European club, as he would not demand the high wages of his European counterparts. This makes him one of the best free agents to acquire in 2021 due to his affordability.

2. Sergio Aguero

Nationality: Argentine

How a player of the calibre of Aguero has struggled to get into Manchester first XI this season is unfathomable to some. However, one fact is clear, this has been only down to the quality of the city squad and not by any shortcomings of the Argentine.

The 32-year-old is just two season worth of goals from usurping Wayne Rooney from the Premier League’s second all-time highest goalscorer. Sitting on fourth on the all-time rankings, Aguero is the highest scoring foreign player in the division.

Since 2007, the lowest amount of goals that Aguero has contributed to in a single season is 22, which is a certain guarantee for quick success in any league or club he moves to.

1. Memphis Depay

Nationality: Dutch

A first team regular. Proven at the highest level. And a full international. Memphis Depay is the hottest bargain striker for any club to acquire this season.

The 27-year-old is having the season of his life, contributing over 20 league goals. In addition, he has scored 6 times in 8 UCL appearances, which is a career best.

Although Barcelona are firm favourites to attain his signature, this wouldn’t deter potential suitors from making a lucrative bid for the Dutchman.