Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool players are on a long list of free agents still looking for new clubs.

Sunderland’s summer transfer window came to a dramatic end earlier this week as they landed a double deadline day deal.

After seeing off competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace within the final hours of the window, a deal for Lyon winger Malick Fofana was secured as the Black Cats handed a major boost to Regis Le Bris’ options in wide areas in preparations for one of the most exciting seasons in the club’s history. Another new addition was secured with little room to spare as Sunderland won the race to land highly-rated Ecuador youth international Juan Riquelme Angulo as the 18-year-old striker penned a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

There are still a number of countries that are in the final days of their own summer transfer windows as it stands and that means there is still a chance some current members of the Black Cats squad could head for pastures new over the next week. However, any thoughts of potential incomings will have to wait until the January transfer window opens for business in the new year.

There are several big name players still available on free transfers after they left their now-former clubs when their contracts came to an end earlier this summer. A number of former Premier League champions, Champions League winners and players with vast experience of competing in a whole host of European football’s biggest clubs with some of world football’s most prestigious clubs are surprisingly still available as free agents. There is a word of warning for such signings as they will only be able to feature if there is space in a club’s 25-man Premier League squad – and if not, they will have to wait until the next registration period opens in the new year before they can play first-team football.

We take a look at ten of the most eye-catching options that are available for Sunderland and their Premier League rivals to sign on free transfers after they were unable to find new clubs during the summer.

10 free agents Sunderland can sign after the summer transfer window closed

Jadon Sancho (previous club – Manchester United)

It does not seem too long ago since Sancho was impressing in the colours of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and was viewed as one of English’s football hottest properties. However, after struggling to make an impact following a move to Manchester United and loan spells with Dortmund and Aston Villa, the winger is now a free agent.

Ismael Bennacer (previous club – AC Milan)

Once an Arsenal player, 56-times capped Algeria international Bennacer has spent the last seven years at AC Milan – although he also spent time on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, Empoli and Marseille during that time. A veteran at the top end of the game at the age of 28, Bennacer is a hardworking midfielder and can control a game.

Riyad Mahrez (previous club – Al Ahli)

A five-time Premier League champion and Champions league winner anyone? Mahrez remains a free agent after leaving Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli last month and is still waiting to find his next club.

Tyrell Malacia (previous club – Manchester United)

There is no doubt Netherlands international Malacia did not exactly hit the heights during an injury-hit four-year stay at Old Trafford. A loan stint at PSV Eindhoven failed to spark an upturn in fortunes and his departed Manchester United with little fanfare at the end of last season.

Anthony Martial (previous club – Monterray)

Another former Manchester United star on this list and not the last! It seems remarkable to think Martial is still only 30-years-old after a career spent with the likes of Monaco, Sevilla and AEK Athens. The 30-times capped France international is a free agent after leaving Mexican club Monterray at the end of last season.

Wilfried Zaha (previous club – Galatasaray)

A Crystal Palace legend after making over 450 appearances over two separate spells at Selhurst Park, Zaha has spent time with MLS club Charlotte and Turkish giants Galatasaray in recent seasons – but is a free agent after his departure from the latter earlier this summer.

David Alaba (previous club – Real Madrid)

A high-class defender that has proven himself on the world stage with giants such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. A ten-time Bundesliga champion, two-time La Liga winner and a four-time Champions League winner, Alaba will surely be a man in demand as he awaits the next move in an outstanding career.

Georginio Wijnaldum (previous club – Al-Ettifaq)

A Premier League and Champions League winner from his time at Liverpool, former Netherlands international Wijnaldum has spent the last three years with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq and is still looking for a new club.

Adam Webster (former club – Brighton and Hove Albion)

The 31-year-old defender left the Seagulls earlier this summer after enjoying a successful seven-year spell at the Amex Stadium. Webster made over 150 appearances for the South Coast club and would bring vast experience for any club willing to secure his services.

Diogo Leite (former club – Union Berlin)

The Portuguese centre-back would bring a raft of experience of competing in European competition after making a combined 26 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League from his time with Porto and Union Berlin. Still only 27, Leite left the latter of those clubs at the end of last season.