The free XI : List of out of contract stars
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The free XI: Joe Cole, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Martin Petrov head list of out of contract stars
Up for grabs: Portsmouth veteran David James could be on the move
With the January sales well underway everyone is after a bargain - especially football managers.
The transfer window is now open and bosses can talk to players who are out of contract in the summer and sign them on a pre-contract.
In these austere times, managers will be eyeing up the freebies, so Sportsmail has selected a starting XI plus seven substitutes, should your club require an entirely new squad without spending a penny.
The starting XI...
David James (Portsmouth, 39)
The most experienced goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League is desperate to improve his chances of featuring at next summer's World Cup - which will mean a move away from Fratton Park.
Wanted by: Tottenham, Birmingham, Burnley.
Christoph Metzelder
(Real Madrid, 29)The Germany international would bring a wealth of experience to the centre of any defence should it require shoring-up. He has only played two matches so far this term for Real Madrid and is resigned to leaving the Bernabeu in the summer.
Wanted by: Everton, Stoke, Blackburn.
Juliano Belletti
(Chelsea, 33)The Brazilian has had to reinvent himself during the regime changes at Chelsea, so who’s to say he couldn’t do it again at another club? And which club wouldn’t want a World Cup and Champions League winner?
Wanted by: Fuham, Benfica.
Philippe Senderos
(Arsenal, 24)The Swiss international hasn’t managed to establish himself in Arsene Wenger’s side but his recent loan-spell at AC Milan has convinced the centre-back of the need to move away from the Emirates to enjoy regular first team football.
Wanted by: Bayern Munich, Sunderland
Fabio Aurelio
(Liverpool, 30)Liverpool’s Brazilian left-back enjoyed his first call-up to the international team earlier this year but talks have stalled on a new pay-as-you-play contract which has alerted a number of clubs to his availability.
Wanted by: Manchester City, Valencia.
Martin Petrov
(Manchester City, 30)After prolonged absence through injury and then left out after the influx of new players in the summer, the Bulgaria winger is now beginning to show regular displays of his undoubted talent under the new Roberto Mancini regime.
Wanted by: Tottenham
Michael Ballack
(Chelsea, 33)The Germany captain continues to show the willing and ability to put the hard yards in midfield, he can definitely still do it. However, his £120,000-a week wage demands would ward off all but the very richest of clubs.
Wanted by: Bayern Munich
Joe Cole
(Chelsea, 28)Playing regularly again after a long lay-off with a knee injury, Cole is once more proving his doubters wrong. The creative midfielder has expressed his desire to stay at Chelsea but could the lure of a challenge elsewhere – plus great wages to go with it – draw him away?
Wanted by: Tottenham, Manchester City
Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough, 23)
Man-of-the-moment on Teesside, Johnson is Boro’s top goalscorer and the England under 21 star has already been linked with a number of Premier League clubs. Gordon Strachan will have his work cut out to convince the winger that his future lies at the Riverside.
Wanted by: Sunderland, Everton, Wigan
Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux, 25)
The Morocco striker has been the on-off transfer talk of the past 12 months but his insistence on staying at Bordeaux – where he has six league goals this season – until the summer means it is certain he will leave as a free agent.
Wanted by: Arsenal, Tottenham, Sunderland
Ruud van Nistelrooy
(Real Madrid, 33)He knows the Premier League inside out and is a proven scorer. The Dutch goal-master is being touted around by Real as his time at the Bernabeu comes to an end. Surely his 95 league goals in England must count for something?
Wanted by: Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool
And on the bench...
Joe Ledley (Cardfiff, 22)
A product of Cardiff’s academy, Ledley has turned down recent contract offers from the Bluebirds, alerting several Premier League clubs to the industrious midfielder’s availability.
Wanted by: Rangers, Birmingham, WiganTomas Rosicky (Arsenal, 29)
The Czech international hasn’t had the best time at the Emirates with the injuries he has suffered but many clubs would love add him to their midfield.
Wanted by: Aston VillaJermaine Beckford (Leeds, 26)
Leeds’ striker is in fine form once again in League One, his 16 strikes this term make him joint top goalscorer but he refused to shake manager Simon Grayson's hand when substituted against Southampton recently. Is he on his way out of the door? Wanted by: Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Wolves
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn, 28)
The Norwegian’s left foot is one of the best in the Premier League and his form over the past few years means that there would be a number of potential suitors should Sam Allardyce decide to cash in before he leaves on a free.
Wanted by: Celtic, BirminghamPaul Scharner (Wigan, 29)
The highly-rated midfielder has been Wigan’s most consistent performer over the past three years but may become a victim of Roberto Martinez’s need to raise funds to buy new players. A very useful utility man, should you need it.
Wanted by: Fulham, Everton, BirminghamLouis Saha (Everton, 31)
Has rediscovered his scoring touch with 10 goals in 17 appearances for the Toffees this season. Deadly when fit.
Wanted by: Sunderland, Roma, Atletico Madrid and BordeauxAdriano (Flamengo, 27)
Give up the Samba life in Brazil to move to the Premier League? Adriano has a number of detractors to prove wrong after his acrimonious departure from Inter Milan, you can be sure he’ll score you goals... but what about the baggage that comes with him?
Wanted by: West Ham, Tottenham -
Ballack signed a new contract with Chelsea alr...Joe Cole not sure sia. Belleti also not sure....
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anyone who can get petrov for free is doing a real good deal.
only disadvantage is that he's alr 30
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rosicky.....
