The summer transfer window slammed shut last week in Europe’s major footballing countries.
But that doesn’t mean that clubs can’t still sign players on a free transfer.
Players who are free agents and uncontracted can be signed at any time in the season – both inside and outside of the transfer window.
One club in particular may be keeping a close eye on the free agent market after a miserable start to the season.
Chelsea had yet another big spending summer as they broke their own world record for money paid out in a window.
The Blues splashed out an incredible €464.1 million on new players.
Messi, Pirlo, Ramos and the biggest Bosman transfers of all time
Chelsea signed 13 players in total, with 11 of those arriving for a transfer fee; Alex Matos and Diego Moreira were signed on free transfers.
Chelsea summer signings
Chelsea’s biggest signing was, of course, Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a British record fee but the likes of Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer and Axel Disasi were all big money deals, too.
Unfortunately, the heavy outlay has not led to a positive start to the season.
Chelsea have won just one of their first four games of the season, losing at home to Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the weekend.
So could Chelsea be enticed back into the free transfer market already?
Well, there are a handful of interesting players available on a free transfer.
David de Gea is the most high profile after his contract at Man Utd ran out. With Robert Sanchez not convincing everyone in goal, could Chelsea go for De Gea to shore up their goalkeeping position?
Chelsea have been lacking goals for quite some time now so could look for attackers.
Alfredo Morelos was available after scoring 124 goals in six years at Rangers, but he has now moved to Santos on Monday.
Santi Mina, who enjoyed a successful career in La Liga with Celta Vigo and Valencia, is a free agent. Mina is only 28.
Andre Ayew is an experienced option. He was released by Nottingham Forest in the summer and has scored over 150 club goals, and been capped 114 times by Ghana.
Jesse Lingard is famed for scoring a lot of goals. The former Man Utd attacking midfielder is also available for nothing.
Looking for some inspiration in creating chances? Well, why not bring back Eden Hazard? The Belgian is one of Chelsea’s all-time greats and is still only 32. Could Chelsea resurrect his failing career?
These players may seem like unlikely signings for Chelsea, but when it comes to Todd Boehly you can’t rule out anything!