The Best Free Transfers In Football History Ranked

Real Madrid’s pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold has created shockwaves in the footballing world.

According to David Ornstein, Real Madrid are working to close the deal to sign the Liverpool and England international. Liverpool’s failure to agree new contract terms with Alexander-Arnold means that a transfer in the summer will see them not receive a transfer fee for such an important player.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at the best free transfers in football history.

6. Lionel Messi - Barcelona to PSG

Lionel Messi’s resume speaks for itself, the greatest footballer of all time.

Having won 34 trophies with Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League’s, there was nothing left for Messi to achieve in Spain.

With that being said it was the consensus amongst football fans that the Argentine would end his career with Barcelona. However, financial implications surrounding the Spanish club meant Messi would have to leave at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Breaking: Lionel Messi has agreed in principle to a 2-year deal with PSG and will travel to Paris today for a physical, sources tell ESPN.

The deal includes an option for a third year, and will be announced at the Eiffel Tower in the coming days, according to ESPN sources. pic.twitter.com/9qnI0VFje8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 8, 2021

A tearful Messi said farewell to the only club he’d known in his professional career, having scored 672 goals during his time. A switch to France was next on the cards for the legend, agreeing to terms with Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal in August 2021.

Messi would go on to win two Ligue 1 titles and a Trophée des Champions during his time with PSG - scoring 32 goals in 72 appearances.

He would also be awarded his seventh Ballon d’Or while in France, largely in part thanks to his contribution in winning the World Cup with Argentina and performances over the calendar year.

5 Kylian Mbappe - PSG to Real Madrid

The transfer of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid had been a constant saga almost every transfer window since he burst onto the scene with Monaco during the 2016/17 season. Having won the World Cup with France at the age of 19 years old, Mbappe was viewed by the footballing world as the talent to replace Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player on the planet for years to come.

However his decision to stay in France for seven years, following a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 allowed critics to suggest that Mbappe couldn’t be the best footballer in the world due playing in a ‘weak’ league.

With 329 career goals at the age of 25 years-old, Mbappe had already proven himself to be an all-time great.

But having turned down Real Madrid in favour of staying with PSG in 2022, Mbappe would not refuse the opportunity once Los Blancos came calling once again in 2024.

That's 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 G/A for Kylian Mbappé in the Champions League.

He's 26 🌟 pic.twitter.com/M55kOBOmpE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 22, 2025

The Frenchman would depart from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer following the expiration of his contract. He would leave as the clubs all-time top goalscorer with 256 goals from 308 appearances.

Mbappe’s debut campaign with Real Madrid has seen him score 31 goals in 44 appearances as Real Madrid remain in contention to win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

4. Paul Pogba - Manchester United to Juventus

Paul Pogba has had one of the more fascinating careers for a footballer. After two years in the Manchester United academy, the Frenchman was given his debut for the Red Devils in September 2011 by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Having made seven first team appearances for Manchester United and being a standout performer for the youth side, Pogba decided not to renew his contract in Manchester and instead pursue regular first team football elsewhere, signing for Serie A side Juventus in July 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson suggested that Pogba had been in contact with the Italian side way before the signing was made official. "It is disappointing. I don't think he showed us any respect at all, to be honest. I'm quite happy that if they carry on that way, they're probably better doing it away from us."

Pogba would spend four seasons with Juventus, winning four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana and finishing runner-up in the UEFA Champions League.

Paul Pogba has already won 10 trophies:

Serie A 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Coppa Italia 🏆🏆
Supercoppa 🏆🏆
Europa League 🏆
League Cup 🏆

He's still only 24. 👏 pic.twitter.com/pdLwYsZt4R
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 24, 2017

He would also win the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Golden Boy award and feature in the FIFA FIFPro World11.

Pogba would later be sold for a fee of £89.3 million back to Manchester United in 2016.

3. Andrea Pirlo - AC Milan to Juventus

Andrea Pirlo cemented himself as one of the best midfielders in world football during his ten year spell with AC Milan.

Eight trophies, including two UEFA Champions League’s and two Serie A titles, Pirlo’s legacy in Milan was undeniable. However, the two sides were unable to find an agreement on a contract renewal, leading Pirlo to sign with fellow Serie A side Juventus on a free.

AC Milan chose not to renew Andrea Pirlo's contract in 2011 because they thought he was too old. He was 32.

Pirlo then signed for Juventus on a free transfer and won Serie A Player of the Year for three seasons in a row. A record still unmatched today.

Class is permanent. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bEYBHFdu0J
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 21, 2025

“When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was: "God exists". A player of his level and ability, not to mention that he was free, I think it was the signing of the century!” Said Gianluigi Buffon regarding the signing. Pirlo’s Juventus career lasted four years, registering 164 appearances and 19 goals.

Juventus would win four consecutive titles, a Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana’s and finish runners-up in the UEFA Champions League over this span.

2. Sol Campbell - Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal

Sol Campbell did the unthinkable in 2001 when he swapped Tottenham Hotspur for Arsenal.

Having been rumoured to join Barcelona and publicly stating he would never play for Arsenal, Campbell did just that following the expiration of his contract with Spurs.

Happy birthday to Sol Campbell!

646 club games 🏃
73 caps 🦁
30 goals ⚽
6 trophies 🏆
1 unbeaten season 👀

Superb career. 👏 pic.twitter.com/1m8jya9NIl
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 18, 2017

Campbell suggested that his decision was made purely because of his need to play in the UEFA Champions League and compete for trophies. However, the move has led to abuse from the Tottenham Hotspur supporters for years on end.

Campbell would win six trophies with the Gunners including two Premier League titles, three FA Cup’s, a Community Shield and a runners-up medal in the UEFA Champions League.

1. Robert Lewandowski - Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich

Robert Lewandowski‘s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich is widely regarded as the best free transfer in football history.

The Polish striker made the switch in 2014, following a four year spell with the Yellow and Black. During his time he scored 103 goals in 187 appearances - winning two Bundesliga titles, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup and finishing runner-up in the UEFA Champions League.

Lewandowski’s time at Bayern Munich coincided with one of the most dominant and historic periods in Bundesliga history. Bayern Munich would win a total of 18 trophies in eight years - including eight consecutive Bundesliga titles.

🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski has finished as the top scorer playing in Europe for club and country for the 3rd calendar year running...

2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣ = ⚽️6⃣9⃣
2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ = ⚽️4⃣7⃣
2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣ = ⚽️5⃣4⃣#UCL pic.twitter.com/ni0e3cQUrB
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 31, 2021

Lewandowski would also add a UEFA Champions League to his resume having failed to win one with Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich in 2013.

Lewandowski also established himself as one of the very best strikers of all-time, scoring 344 goals in 375 appearances for Bayern Munich.

He would also win The Best FIFA Men’s Player on two separate occasions and finish second for the Ballon d’Or.