Free-agent XI: Benzema, Pogba, Ramos, Sancho among stars still without a club

The summer transfer window has closed across most of Europe's major leagues, but the market is not completely shut. Karim Benzema, Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba, Sergio Ramos and several other big names are still available as free agents.

With clubs now largely unable to sign players under contract until January, a different part of the market remains open: free agents. And there is plenty of experience still sitting on the shelf.

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From Champions League winners and World Cup champions to former Premier League stars, several high-profile players remain without clubs after failing to secure moves before the deadline.

So, what would the best free-agent team look like?

Here is an XI packed with major names, trophies and enough former stardust to make the post-deadline market worth watching.

Goalkeeper: Neto (Age: 38 | Last club: Botafogo)

Neto may not be the biggest name in this XI, but the former Brazil international has plenty of top-level experience.

After spending last season on loan at Arsenal from Bournemouth, the goalkeeper returned to Brazil and joined Botafogo before ending his contract by mutual agreement in June.

At his best, Neto was a reliable presence at European level and has played for Fiorentina, Juventus, Valencia and Barcelona during a long career.

Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Age: 34 | Last club: Real Madrid)

It is difficult to put six-time Champions League winner Dani Carvajal on a list of free agents and not immediately wonder whether one final chapter remains.

The Spain international spent 23 years with Real Madrid, making around 450 appearances and collecting a remarkable 27 major trophies.

Real opted against extending his contract this summer, leaving one of the most decorated full-backs of his generation without a club.

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos (Age: 40 | Last club: Monterrey)

Another Real Madrid great makes the team.

Ramos spent 16 years in Madrid, scoring 101 goals in 671 appearances and winning virtually everything available, including four Champions League titles and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.

His later career took him to PSG, Sevilla and Monterrey, but he has been without a club since leaving the Mexican side in January.

Retirement may be approaching, but Ramos has not officially called time on his career.

Centre-back: David Alaba (Age: 34 | Last club: Real Madrid)

Alaba brings another extraordinary trophy collection to the back line.

The Austria international won everything with Bayern Munich before joining Real Madrid, where he added further Champions League and league titles.

Real decided not to renew his contract this summer. His recent injury problems are a concern, but a fit Alaba would still offer versatility, experience and the ability to play both centrally and at left-back.

Left-back: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Age: 29 | Last club: Ajax)

Zinchenko is one of the younger players in this XI and one with a long Premier League track record.

The Ukrainian won four Premier League titles with Manchester City before moving to Arsenal, where he became an important part of Mikel Arteta's side.

His short spell at Ajax was disrupted by injury, limiting him to just 20 minutes before his contract situation left him on the market.

At 29, however, there is still considerable time for a comeback.

Midfield: Paul Pogba (Age: 33 | Last club: Monaco)

Few free agents carry the pedigree of Paul Pogba.

The France midfielder was a key part of the 2018 World Cup-winning side and enjoyed some outstanding years at Juventus and Manchester United.

His latest comeback has been far less straightforward. After serving an 18-month suspension, Pogba joined Monaco last year but made only six appearances before the club ended his contract by mutual agreement.

The talent has never been much of a question. Fitness and consistency are the bigger issues now.

Midfield: Philippe Coutinho (Age: 34 | Last club: Vasco da Gama)

There was a time when Coutinho was among the most sought-after attacking midfielders in European football.

His performances for Liverpool earned him a blockbuster move to Barcelona in 2018, but he never consistently reproduced the form that made him a star at Anfield.

After spells with Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian became a free agent in February.

A return to Europe would certainly attract attention, even if the Coutinho of his Liverpool peak now belongs to another era.

Right wing: Raheem Sterling (Age: 31 | Last club: Feyenoord)

Sterling's fall from one of Europe's most dangerous forwards to the free-agent market has been one of the more surprising developments of recent years.

He won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester City and became a key player for England before later spells with Chelsea and Arsenal.

Sterling moved to Feyenoord in an attempt to revive his career, but the Netherlands adventure lasted only three months.

He is still just 31, meaning there could be plenty left if he can rediscover the explosiveness and consistency that once made him one of England's most important attackers.

Left wing: Jadon Sancho (Age: 26 | Last club: Aston Villa)

Sancho is the obvious young wild card in this team.

Five years after Manchester United paid £73m to sign him from Borussia Dortmund, the former England international is now looking for another club.

Sancho's dazzling Bundesliga performances once made him one of European football's hottest young talents. His time at Manchester United never reached those heights, while loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa followed.

At only 26, though, Sancho remains young enough for a major reset.

Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a possible return, although nothing has been finalised.

Striker: Karim Benzema (Age: 38 | Last club: Al-Hilal)

There was never much doubt about who would lead this XI.

Benzema is the biggest name on the free-agent market and arguably the most accomplished player available.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner spent 14 years at Real Madrid, won five Champions League titles and scored more than 350 goals for the Spanish giants.

His Saudi adventure began with Al-Ittihad before he moved to Al-Hilal earlier this year. That partnership ended on August 31, when the club confirmed that the two sides had mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

Despite being 38, Benzema remains a proven goalscorer. Recent reports suggest he is considering his next move rather than immediately ending his career.

The bench

The XI does not even cover all the big names still available.

Riyad Mahrez is another former Premier League and Champions League winner who remains unattached after leaving Al-Ahli.

Dele Alli is still searching for his next opportunity after his contract with Como was terminated.

Jamie Vardy is also available after his spell with Cremonese, while Anthony Martial, Wilfried Zaha, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Rodríguez, Yves Bissouma, Tyrell Malacia and Chris Smalling are among the other experienced names on the market.

That is the strange beauty of the free-agent market.

The biggest clubs may have finished their summer shopping, but the football world's lost-and-found box is still remarkably well stocked.