Out of contract in 2022: Football's best free agents at the end of the season

Paul Pogba's deal at Old Trafford ended this summer, after agreeing to a one-year extension ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

The French international has endured a mixed bag of success at Manchester United due to several injury woes and inconsistent form, even admitting that “it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else”.

He has been regularly linked with a return to former side Juventus, which now looks the most likely destination six years after leaving Turin for a world record transfer fee.

Spain international Juan Mata's said goodbye to United at the end of the season after extending for a further year in 2021.

His next move is as of yet unknown, with the player only pledging that he would not be hanging up his boots following his Old Trafford farewell.

After signing for Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in 2020 on a two-year contract, Luis Suarez was reportedly keen on renewing his deal at the Wanda Metropolitano, but it has been announced that he will be moving on this summer.

At 35 years old, Suarez is now considered in the "veteran" bracket, though his goal contributions since his notorious exit from Barcelona have been impressive - with La Liga title glory savoured during his debut campaign in the Spanish capital.

While he has not decided his next move, the thought of linking up again with Lionel Messi down the line at Inter Miami is an appealing one.

Ousmane Dembele has been touted for a potential exit at Barcelona as contract talks appear to be mooted, though club president Joan Laporta has insisted that La Liga giants plan on keeping the French international – while also stating that he is better than Kylian Mbappe.

As of the end of May, the forward's future at Camp Nou remains up in the air.

“We have a very good relationship with Dembele and he wants to stay. We also want him because he is a great player," Laporta said.

“These are situations that need a negotiation with the representatives who want the best for the player. I am enthusiastic about Dembele, he is better than Mbappe.”

Paulo Dybala has been one of the stars of Juventus since his arrival since from Palermo in 2015, but he has now decided to move on from the Old Lady.

Arsenal is one possible destination for the Argentina international, who has hinted that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

Isco has decided to pack his bags at Real Madrid as a five-time Champions League winner as he remains out of favour with Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.

With no fresh terms on the table, the talented Spain international playmaker will be looking to rediscover a spark away from Santiago Bernabeu.

Divock Origi is a Liverpool legend in his own right, not as flashy as Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane but a player responsible for many of the Reds' most crucial wins.

Despite being a second, or third choice, to Jurgen Klopp's favoured front-three, Origi manages to make the most out of his limited minutes when he does come on.

Milan will be the next destination for the forward, who will hope San Siro takes him to its heart like Anfield did.

After a much-beleaguered nine years in the Spanish capital with a transfer fee that broke English football records, Gareth Bale's contract with Real Madrid is finally up in the summer.

Bale's infamy within the Real Madrid team – and with the fans – has long since been documented, with his agent Jonathan Barnett telling DeportesCuatro: "It's not important, I don't care what they think. I don't care about them [Real Madrid fans]. Why should I care? I think the fans treated him disgustingly."

A possible option for Bale is returning to Tottenham, where he spent a loan spell in 2020-21, or a move to his hometown of Cardiff. Atletico Madrid have also said to have been offered his services.

Chelsea found themselves in a contract stand-off with Andreas Christensen for some time before it became clear that no extension would be put in place with the Danish defender at Stamford Bridge.

He is expected to link up with La Liga giants Barcelona after hitting free agency.

The Brazil midfielder has been a rock for the Citizens for the past eight seasons, and has now bid farewell to the club.

At 37 years of age, Fernandinho is still an asset to Man City and Pep Guardiola will be given the difficult task of attempting to find a suitable replacement when another transfer window opens.

A return to his home nation of Brazil is said to be the midfielder's preferred option.

A January move for Jesse Lingard was blocked off, with Manchester United keen on keeping the England international around on the back of a successful loan switch to West Ham in early 2021.

He has, however, continued to struggle for regular game time with the Red Devils and will form part of a serious summer refresh at Old Trafford as he heads for the exits and new coach Erik ten Hag inherits the managerial reins.

Argentina international Angel Di Maria enjoyed the perfect send-off from PSG, scoring in his final match against Metz before being withrawn to a standing ovation from the Parc des Princes crowd.

Juventus are in pole position to sign the winger, though recent reports suggest that Barcelona will also make an approach.

Franck Kessie has been consistently linked with a move to England, though La Liga giants Barcelona are favourites to sign the Ivorian midfielder.

Kessie bowed out of Milan in style, leading the Rossoneri to Serie A glory in his final match.

Eddie Nketiah nearly left Arsenal in the summer of 2021 for Crystal Palace but was ultimately unable to agree personal terms.

The forward since went on to form a bigger part of the Gunners' plans last season and will be rewarded with the offer of a new deal, though he has yet to confirm whether he will stay.

Newcastle are said to be interested in signing Dortmund's Axel Witsel, while Juventus have also been keeping an eye on the midfielder. There has even been talk of the experienced Belgian heading to America for a stint in MLS.

Dries Mertens may be Napoli's all-time leading goalscorer, but that is no guarantee that he will be offered a new contract.

There has been talk of the Belgian being offered reduced terms, but there is also plenty of gossip to be found regarding a move elsewhere, with Lazio linked to a free transfer this summer.

There had been suggestions that Federico Bernardeschi would commit to a new contract at Juventus before the 2021-22 campaign comes to a close. He will, however, be following Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini out of the club as a free agent.