Out of contract players who could be valuable pickups this summer

The summer will see some big names available on a free. Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba are the highlights, but not the most affordable. Here are four affordable yet valuable pickups available in summer.

Summer 2022 presents an excellent opportunity for clubs to pick up some great value players on free transfers.

 

There have been some truly bargain transfers over the years and although these transfers have become less high-profile in their nature, there are still some shrewd signings to be made this summer.

 

Divock Origi

 

A player who may not be on the top of every major team’s shopping list, it is easy to forget sometimes that Origi is only 26 years of age and has spent a significant time in his career on Liverpool’s books.

 

The Belgian international has come up big for the Kop in important moments and in the right environment, he still represents good value for a striker in his age bracket.

 

This is Origi’s sixth season at the club and it may well be his last, he has made many memories with the club in his time in England, but if first-team football becomes available elsewhere, he may yet be tempted to make a move.

 

Pascal Gross

 

Arguably Brighton and Hove Albion’s best player since the Seagulls got promoted to the Premier League under Chris Hughton, it is astonishing that a player of Pascal Gross’ quality is now available on a free this summer for clubs to pick up.

 

The German at 30 years of age has been one of the league’s best midfielders in a creative sense and has always had healthy underlying numbers to back up his reputation.

 

This season, he has averaged 0.17 xA per 90 according to Statsbomb and that figure places him in the top 8% of all midfielders across Europe as well as fullbacks.

 

Previously playing as a creative 10 under Hughton, he has seamlessly adjusted into the greater tactical demands of playing under Graham Potter, which may also be a result of his time in Germany under Ralph Hassenhuttl at Ingolstadt.

 

No doubt Brighton fans will be greatly disappointed to see Gross leave who could very well contribute to a top six side in the capacity of a squad player or even become the main creative fulcrum of a team aspiring to break into the top half.

 

Robin Knoche

 

Union Berlin’s Robin Knoche has been a pillar in the side since signing for the Kopenick outfit in the summer of 2020 from Wolfsburg.

 

The German is a throwback and bit more of an old-school defender who is more often than not capable of holding the last line of defence and has worked really effectively under Urs Fischer in the back 3 system.

 

Knoche has got some mobility about him but is certainly more exposed in a back four as opposed to a back three and though he may not suit the demands of a modern-day central defender, he can certainly hold his own against most attackers on his day.

 

He is one of a few Union Berlin players who are available on a free transfer this summer and multiple clubs in Germany are known to be admirers of his talents.

 

Stefan Ortega

 

Aside from Andre Onana, who is certainly the big-name goalkeeper available on a free in the summer, Arminia Bielefeld’s Stefan Ortega has been making all the right noises too.

 

The 30-year-old has been one of Arminia’s star performers since they came up to the Bundesliga from the 2. Bundesliga.

 

Not only is Ortega a good shot-stopper, he is also actively involved in his team’s build-up and is involved in keeping the ball too.

 

The German averages about 55 touches per90 which places him in top one percent of all goalkeepers across the top five leagues and he also averages 1.18 defensive actions outside of the penalty area, for which he is in the top 8% of all GKs, according to Statsbomb.

 

Much like Knoche, Ortega is one of a few key Arminia players available on a transfer and will no doubt represent a very sensible deal for any club