The January switch window could have simply closed on Monday, however there are nonetheless loads of European superstars obtainable on free contracts.
With supervisor Thomas Tuchel set to guide the Three Lions to North America this summer season for the 2026 World Cup, a lot of England’s aces discover themselves at an actual crossroads of their careers.
Whereas a lot of England’s most notable gamers are at residence on their telephones ready for his or her subsequent probability, we took a take a look at a few of the former Premier League standouts who’re nonetheless free brokers.
raheem sterling
There could have been loads of pleasure round Stamford Bridge following Raheem Sterling’s £47.5m transfer from Manchester Metropolis in the summertime of 2022, however the 31-year-old endured a public nightmare in west London.
Fully excluded from first-team motion and never making a single aggressive look for Chelsea since Might 2024, the previous Liverpool teenager didn’t make any affect throughout his mortgage spell at Arsenal final season.
Stamford Bridge bosses had been little doubt relieved to have Sterling’s £325,000-a-week wages written off, because it was formally introduced on January 28 that the 81-cap worldwide would go away by mutual consent.
Sterling, who’s clearly not in Tuchel’s England plans and is at the moment and not using a membership, has spent the previous 12 months watching potential strikes to the likes of Juventus and west London rivals Fulham fall by way of.
It was reported earlier this week that German membership Union Berlin had waived the opportunity of him signing on a free contract, suggesting that Sterling’s essential focus is extending his keep within the Premier League.
Nonetheless, having lifted 13 items of silverware throughout his glittering profession, curiosity within the Premier League seems to be minimal, with a transcontinental transfer anticipated to be essentially the most reasonable choice.
Raheem Sterling has as we speak left Chelsea FC by mutual consent.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 28, 2026
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who ended his two-year contract with Turkish giants Besiktas over the summer season with out making a single look for the Istanbul-based facet since Might, is definitely eager to return residence.
Regardless of having one 12 months left on his contract, either side have agreed to terminate his contract with Besiktas, and the 32-year-old has suffered a lot of severe knee accidents throughout his profession.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has not featured for England since 2019 after struggling a serious setback in his profession and failing to dwell as much as the promise he confirmed with each Arsenal and Liverpool.
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill introduced earlier this week that he needed to throw the 35-capped participant a lifeline, searching for some stability within the twilight of his profession.
O’Neill could have mentioned the previous Arsenal starlet is contemplating a lot of choices for him, however Celtic might provide Oxlade-Chamberlain a return residence.
He has tasted success in each the home league and the Champions League, and it’s mentioned that his boyhood membership Southampton are contemplating an emotional return to St Mary’s.
🟢 Celtic are thinking about former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Particulars – https://t.co/LrCl1C20NT pic.twitter.com/NEPdZw0Lmc
— Sky Sports activities Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 2, 2026
jesse lingard
Many eyebrows had been raised when he introduced that he can be becoming a member of South Korean facet FC Seoul in February 2024, with many questioning why Jesse Lingard had determined to take such an unconventional path after leaving Nottingham Forest.
The previous Manchester United celebrity, who scored 18 objectives in 66 appearances as a Okay-League stalwart, introduced his departure in December and is but to hitch a brand new membership.
Born in Warrington, Lingard got here by way of the United squad earlier than making his senior debut below supervisor Louis van Gaal in August 2014. The versatile star made 232 appearances for his boyhood membership, scoring 35 objectives and serving to the Pink Devils win the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.
Following within the footsteps of a lot of his former England team-mates hoping to return nearer to residence, Lingard is reportedly coaching in Essex and hoping to organize for his subsequent journey as quickly as doable.
West Ham could have just lately been thought to have handed up the possibility to welcome the 33-year-old again after his former membership and former membership had been knocked out of the Premier League relegation battle, but it surely seems there isn’t any lack of curiosity in him.
Dutch giants Feyenoord have recommended they’re , whereas golf equipment in each Brazil and Italy are additionally contemplating the opportunity of a free switch.
Jesse Lingard, 32, has mutually terminated his contract with FC Seoul and can go away the membership subsequent week.
He scored 18 objectives in two seasons and was additionally the captain of the Korean staff 🤝 pic.twitter.com/FtcCpDzXXl
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) December 5, 2025
