NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT takes a look at five high-profile free agents and discusses who they could potentially join in the January transfer window.
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| Emmanuel Adebayor, Ashley Cole, Ravel Morrison and Ronaldinho are available in January |
Emmanuel Adebayor
The 31-year-old Togo international has been without a club since September following his release from Tottenham.
This absence from the game, which prevents him from signing for another club until the January window opens, was because he was registered as a Spurs player at the end of the summer window – and by rejecting a proposed move to West Ham he ended up in exile.
However, now that the vastly experienced striker is available on a free transfer, a host of clubs have expressed an interest in signing the forward.
One stumbling block with the former Arsenal and Manchester City frontman, however, is the fact that he demands a hefty wage packet – he is still getting paid £100,000-a-week by Spurs until his contract expires next summer.
But despite this Chelsea, Watford and Championship side Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly interested in signing the striker, who has scored 96 goals in 230 Premier League appearances.
Ashley Cole
Now 35 years of age, Cole is understandably in the latter years of his playing days but you cannot deny the fact that he has had an incredible career, which has spanned 17 years and has seen him win countless trophies with Arsenal and Chelsea.
But it doesn’t stop there for the left-back, as he is attracting interest from a host of clubs after terminating his contract at Roma at the start of the season.
The former England international, who has made 107 appearances for the Three Lions, is perhaps considered a gamble by most clubs because of his age.
But a player with his track record, consistency and experience – which still sees him plying his trade at the top level – would be difficult to pass up.
Especially for a club like Aston Vila who are reportedly eyeing a short-team deal for the defender as they bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Ronaldinho
Who would have thought that the former Barcelona wizard and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year would be without a club and available on a free transfer?!
Yes, he is 35. Yes he left Brazilian side Fluminense after just three months at the club, but this is a Brazilian legend who was once clapped off the pitch by Real Madrid fans in the El Clasico at the Bernabeu in 2005 – you don’t see that every day.
Understandably, this is becoming a bit biased now but he is a player of immense talent and would be a welcome addition to the Premier League – which he was 48 hours away from doing in 2003 after Manchester United launched a bid for him but he decided to join Barcelona instead.
He has since rejoined Fluminense to take part in their pre-season campaign in Florida, but is still officially without a club.
We all want to see him play in England but the likelihood of that happening is very slim.
On a positive note, at least he is still continuing to grace the football world with his dazzling skill. Oh, and he has been linked with a January move to Swiss side FC Sion, according to Swiss publication Tagesanzeiger.
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| Kevin Nolan in action at former club West Ham |
Kevin Nolan
The 33-year-old midfielder left West Ham in the summer because he was believed to be sick of life on the bench, according to new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.
Bilic joined West Ham from Turkish outfit Besiktas and replaced the now Sunderland manger Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.
And with Nolan now a free agent, Allardyce has openly expressed an interest in signing the midfielder for the Black Cats as he looks to bolster his squad with experienced Premier League players in a bid to avoid the dreaded drop.
Nolan has a past with Tyneside rivals Newcastle so you could imagine a move to Sunderland being a difficult choice.
But after training with League Two side Leyton Orient since his departure, it seems as if a move which would reunite him with Allardyce could appeal.
Ravel Morrison
Technically, 22-year-old Morrison is not a free agent but current club Lazio have effectively washed their hands with the bad-boy midfielder.
Morrison was hotly tipped to be one of England’s brightest stars, but his attitude and lack of professionalism has halted his progression.
And now Serie A outfit Lazio have granted the midfielder permission to leave the club in January after just six months into a three-year deal – with England being Morrison’s preferred destination, claim the Daily Mirror.
There is no denying that the Manchester United academy product is a player that has the qualities to reach the top of the game, but it seems as if he needs a bit more guidance in order to fulfil his full potential – Queens Park Rangers are understood to be the only English club to have shown an interest in helping to revive the midfielder’s troubled career.
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