Christian Eriksen
One of the most high-profile players who are still a free agent is Christian Eriksen. An incredible midfielder in years gone by, the 33-year-old left Manchester United at the end of last season. Initially linked with a return to former club Ajax, the Dane has since been linked with a whole host of clubs from all over the world.
In terms of the EFL, there was major interest from Championship newcomers Wrexham. Perhaps the only Championship side able to afford Eriksen’s wages, it would’ve been one of the biggest transfers in the history of the second tier.
It has been said that Eriksen wants to remain in a top league in Western Europe, so he has already rejected the offer from the Welsh side and is unlikely to accept any offers from the MLS, Turkey, the Middle East and Brazil, who have also showed interest in him. Clubs in Germany and Spain are circling, as are Burnley, as they look to replace captain and last season’s top goal scorer Josh Brownhill who has departed on a free transfer.
Jamie Vardy
Another very successful player who also hasn’t found a new home as of yet is Jamie Vardy. One of, if not, Leicester City’s greatest ever players, Vardy marked his exit from the King Power with his 200th goal for the club in the penultimate game of last season. Despite Leicester being relegated from the Premier League, Vardy stated that he felt that he could still compete at the highest level, although that hasn’t come to fruition as of yet and he remains a free agent.
The 38-year-old has been linked with a whole host of clubs, including Manchester United, Celtic, and once again, Wrexham. He has also recently been linked with a move to Sunderland after he posted a picture of himself training with the clubs’ crest visible in the background. He has also been linked with a move to Inter Miami after Vardy’s wife posted a picture of their children wearing the clubs’ shirts.
As much as Jamie Vardy and Lionel Messi playing up front together sounds like something out of an incredible fever dream, I don’t think this move is particularly likely. Considering Vardy scored 9 goals and provided 4 assists in the Premier League last season for a very poor Leicester side, I do still think that he has something to contribute to a Premier League side. Whether that be to bring experience to a newly promoted side or as a backup further up the table. However, his options have somewhat been narrowed down with Manchester United buying Benjamin Sesko and all three of the newly promoted sings already signing strikers. This means Vardy remains a free agent.
Fellow strikers Callum Wilson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also found themselves in a similar situation to Vardy following the end of last season. Since then, Wilson has signed for West Ham and Calvert-Lewin hasn’t found a club yet but seemingly has his heart set on remaining in the Premier League.
Danny Ings
Another forward. Another player linked with Wrexham. Danny Ings hasn’t played much football in the last two and a half seasons since he moved to West Ham, mostly being limited to cameos from the bench. With this in mind, it is difficult to see a Premier League club taking a chance on Ings, especially given his high wages and the fact that he is now 33 years of age. All this combined means he remains a free agent.
So far this window he has been linked with the aforementioned Wrexham as well as Middlesborough, with it being reported that he was on the verge of signing for the latter. That was a while ago now and he still hasn’t found a new club. Borough’s business has been quite slow so far this window so it may be a matter of if not when Ings signs. It certainly seems his most likely destination at this current moment.
