As we approach the climax to the season, the contracts of a number of top Bundesliga stars are coming to an end and their destination for next season is still as yet unknown. Here we bring you a free agents XI of players looking for a new employer. (*loan returnees have not been considered).
1. Rafal Gikiewicz
There was a lot of speculation last summer that Augsburg were looking for a new number one with Mainz’s Finn Dahmen strongly linked, but in the end Polish keeper Gikiewicz kept hold of the starting berth in the Fuggerstädter’s goal. He has provided some excellent displays this season (particularly in the Hinrunde), but at 35 now the club are not opting to renew his contract.
2. Marvin Plattenhardt
Five years ago Plattenhardt was named in the German World Cup squad such was the consistency with which he was performing in the Bundesliga. Hertha’s relegation means that he will most likely be moving on from the Olympiastadion this summer and there will surely be some interest from withing the Bundesliga for the left-back, whose set-piece delivery remains a threat.
3. Evan Ndicka
An indifferent season for the Eintracht defender may have reduced the number of clubs interested, but last season when he was one of the top performing central defenders in the Bundesliga, Ndicka was being linked with a host of Premier League sides. His availability on a free might make a few clubs look beyond the fact that he (like Eintracht Frankfurt) has seen a dip in performance levels this season.
4. Ramy Bensebaini
Nothing has been confirmed as yet with regards left-back Ramy Bensebaini apart from the fact he is leaving the Borussia Park now his contract has run down. Borussia Dortmund have been cited as a potential recruiter, but there is also interest from Italy.
5. Timo Hübers
Hübers has been one of Köln’s most consistent and improved players this season and they will be desperate to get him to resign for the club now his contract is expiring (especially in light of their potential transfer ban). Rumour has it though that the 26-year-old had already previously been tracked by Premier League sides Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham and there will no doubt be a slew of clubs lining up to tempt him away from the Domstatdt.
6. Ellyes Skhiri
The Tunisian midfielder is going to be spoilt for choice this summer when he leaves Köln for a new challenge elsewhere. He has developed into one of the most admired midfielders in the Bundesliga with his all-action running- he leads the league in distance covered for the second successive season. He has added a goal threat this season with seven. Borussia Dortmund could be option, but there will be plenty of others looking to win his signature. Picking him up on a free is going to see someone getting an absolute steal.
7. Raphael Guerreiro
All focus is on the title push at the moment for Dortmund, but fullback/ midfielder Raphael Guerreiro’s future beyond this season remains an unknown. BVB would want him to stay, but recent pictures of him buying packing cases has sparked rumours that he will be leaving for pastures new. His new midfield role at the Signal Iduna Park has shown his versatility, but he could be looking to go out on a high after seven years at the club.
8. Daichi Kamada
Kamada is just one of a number of star names leaving Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, but the real shame is that the Adler won’t be compensated with a transfer fee. Milan are currently said to be the frontrunners for his services although there is interest from Spain and England as well.
“Daichi Kamada has developed into a very good Bundesliga player at Eintracht Frankfurt in recent years and has played his part in the sporting development of the club, with the highlight of the Europa League victory last year” sporting director Markus Krosche said earlier.”
“We would have liked to see Daichi at Eintracht in the future, but the player’s interests did not go hand in hand. We thank him for his commitment to Eintracht and wish him all the best for the future.”
9. Tanguy Coulibaly
Stuttgart’s French attacker is doing his bit to help VfB Stuttgart survive this season with six goals in the last six league matches. Should the Swabians survive, it looks likely they will still lose Coulibaly, whose contract is running down. He was linked with Dortmund back in 2021 when Jadon Sancho left, and there will be interested parties looking at him tis summer too.
10. Marcus Thuram
Thuram’s exit from Borussia Mönchengladbach this summer has been long known, but his next destination remains undisclosed. The forward managed to break into the French World Cup squad and is clearly ready to take his game to the next level. It is yet another piece of business which will see the Foals unable to cash in on the market value of their player, due to the contract being allowed to elapse.
11. Anthony Modeste
Modeste’s season at Dortmund hasn’t exactly been the roaring success it was hoped for, but the former Köln striker could still end up with a Bundesliga winners’ medal come the end of the season. With Sebastien Haller back to fitness, Modeste has served his purpose and will be looking for a new home next season.
Subs:
We can even put together a pretty decent substitute’s bench with the players out of contract this summer. Dominick Drexler, Almamy Toure, Sebastian Rudy, Niko Gießelmann, Joshua Guilavogui, Paulo Otavio, and Max Aaron all could be called upon to represent the free agents XI as replacements.
