Khaberni - In most summer transfer periods, the market presents a constellation of shining names in the world of football who are nearing the end of their current contracts with their clubs, and the upcoming winter "mercato" has not deviated from this rule.
In January 2026, many football stars enter a phase where they are legally allowed to negotiate with other clubs, with 6 months remaining on their current contracts with their clubs.
The upcoming mercato offers "names of weight, experience, and competitive hunger" - as described by the Spanish newspaper "Marca" - ready to start a new adventure without the club contracting them paying a single euro in transfer fees.
It added that "looking at the level of players currently on the market, the ideal lineup of free agents would be substantive and valuable."
The newspaper showcased the ideal lineup of free agents in January 2026:
Goalkeeping
Among the list, a classic name stands out, the German Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich's goalkeeper, who still represents a reliable element with leadership and strength of character. Despite his age (39 years), his prestige still instills confidence in any defense line.
Defense Line
At this position, there are names "breathing experience and physical strength," as the newspaper described, on the right side Dani Carvajal, the Real Madrid player, "embodies confidence at its best," having played more than 400 matches and won 26 titles with the royal team, experiencing many big nights both in Europe and domestically.
At the center, the names of the German Antonio Rudiger and the Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, defenders of Real Madrid and Al Hilal Saudi respectively, are present, a duo described by the newspaper as "steel-like."
Rudiger excels in one-on-one challenges while Koulibaly is superior in aerial balls, making them defenders "of major tournament caliber, experienced in finals and high-stakes battles."
Midfield
The midfield in football is considered the foundation of "balance and talent"; in this position, three names stand out, the first being Leon Goretzka, a Bayern Munich player, who combines physical effort, stride length, and performing both defensive and offensive duties equally well.
Alongside him, the Portuguese Bernardo Silva, a player for Manchester City, orchestrates the game uniquely, with his brilliant reading of the match's pace, speeding it up and slowing it down as needed, and he offers solutions when the team faces difficulties.
There is also the seasoned Croatian Luka Modric, a player for Milan, who signed with the Rossoneri for one year and might be close to renewing his contract after his noticeable success with the team.
Forward Line
"Dynamite is present in the attack," as the newspaper Marca stated about the choices available in the market, on one wing, there's the Senegalese Sadio Mane, a player for Al Nassr Saudi who has scored over 100 goals in the English Premier League, and who remains a nightmare for any full-back thanks to his speed and competitive personality that hasn't dimmed.
On the other side, the name of the Argentinian Paulo Dybala stands out, a player for Roma "the silky left-footed who plays as if he carries a map of the pitch in his head, a team player, unpredictable, and decisive between the lines, still retaining the shooting magic that decides matches."
In the center of the attack, two giants of scoring stand out, the first is the French Karim Benzema, a player for Al Ittihad Saudi, and alongside him, the Pole Robert Lewandowski. Beside them, there's a third option, the Serbian Dusan Vlahovic, a player for Juventus.
And the newspaper concluded by saying, "This lineup of free players without any transfer fee, combines UEFA Champions League titles, golden balls, and more than 1200 goals at their feet. A guaranteed team, strongly present and with a golden past, capable of making any ambitious club dream of an immediate leap in level."
