Best free transfers XI: Messi, Lewandowski and Mbappe complete frightening front three

Player prices are only going up based on this summer's signings, but there have been plenty of formidable free transfers down the years that have not cost a penny.

Here, FootballWhispers has created an XI of the best free transfers of all time:

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)

Taking the goalkeeper spot is Gianluigi Donnarumma, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer from AC Milan in 2021.

One of the best young goalkeepers in the world at the time, he had a transfer value of around £51m, so already PSG knew they were getting a bargain.

It was also the summer after Donnarumma won the Euros with Italy, and he went on to win four Ligue 1 titles and the Champions League with PSG among many other trophies.

RB: Cafu (AC Milan)

Brazilian legend Cafu joined AC Milan on a free transfer from Roma in 2003.

He was one of the best right-backs in the world at the time, and won the Serie A title and Champions League with the Rossoneri.

RCB: Sol Campbell (Arsenal)

Nicknamed “Judas” by Tottenham fans for switching across North London, Sol Campbell signed for Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001 after his contract ran out at Spurs.

Campbell won two Premier Leagues with the Gunners and was an Invincible, and he also makes Arsenal's best Premier League XI of all time.

LCB: David Alaba (Real Madrid)

He did have injury problems at Real Madrid, but David Alaba is still one of the best free transfers of all time.

Signed after leaving Bayern Munich in 2021, he won the Champions League in his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, and added another Champions League and two LaLiga titles to his name.

LB: Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Alejandro Grimaldo was instrumental in turning around Bayer Leverkusen's fortunes when he signed on a free transfer from Benfica in 2023.

He contributed numerous goals and assists at left wing-back in Xabi Alonso's system, helping Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga in his debut season.

RCM: Paul Pogba (Juventus)

Pogba was actually signed twice by Juventus on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United, but we are focusing on his first spell in Turin from 2012.

Having won four successive Serie A titles with Juve, Pogba was sold back to Man United for £89m, giving the Old Lady a hefty profit!

LCM: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

Pogba's midfield partner Andrea Pirlo also joined Juventus on a free transfer after leaving AC Milan in 2011.

There were questions over whether the veteran could even still play at a high level when he signed, but Pirlo emphatically silenced his doubters and won four straight Scudettos with the Old Lady.

CAM: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton Wanderers)

Bolton Wanderers are perhaps an outsider on this list, but they shocked the world when they signed Jay-Jay Okocha on a free transfer after leaving PSG in 2002.

The Nigerian was one of the most skilful players of his generation, and spent four years at the Reebok Stadium.

RW: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)

Lionel Messi did the unthinkable and left Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021, where PSG picked him up.

Admittedly, his spell in Paris was not as successful as with his boyhood club, but it was still a transfer that shocked the world, and for any club to get a player of Messi's quality for free simply has to make the XI.

ST: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

After winning multiple Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski left on a free transfer and controversially switched to rivals Bayern Munich in 2014.

He was one of the best strikers in the world at the time, and won a further eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern alongside many other accolades.

LW: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Completing the XI is Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024 after leaving PSG.

The French superstar had an astonishing £154m market value at the time, and while he is yet to win LaLiga or the Champions League with Los Blancos, a player of his quality will believe it is only a matter of time.