Get the biggest City transfer window stories, analysis and updates delivered straight to your inbox The beginning of July marks the beginning of football's free agent market, as players' contracts all over Europe run out and look for new clubs.
This allows clubs to sign footballers 'on a free', although it generally means that they have to pay a premium on wages and/or agents' fees.
The pandemic has had a profound effect on club finances across Europe, with even some of the biggest sides in world football looking to reduce their wage budgets, and even Lionel Messi is technically now available as a free agent - even if he could yet extend his stay at Barcelona.
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