Transfer market: 24 African players still available as free agents

Mahrez, Bennacer, Bissouma and Zaha headline the African internationals still available.

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Transfer market: 24 African players still available as free agents

Several established African footballers remain unattached after the transfer window and are free to negotiate their next moves without transfer fees.

The summer transfer window has officially closed in the five major European leagues, but that doesn't mean the transfer market has come to a standstill. Indeed, many experienced players, including several well-known faces from African football, still find themselves without a club at the start of September, searching for a new challenge to relaunch their careers. In total, no fewer than 24 African internationals are currently on the free agent market, a pool of talent that could well interest several clubs looking for experienced reinforcements in the coming weeks.

The 24 African players currently without clubs

Algeria: Riyad Mahrez, Ismaël Bennacer, Youcef Atal and Adam Ounas.
Mali: Yves Bissouma and Abdoulaye Doucouré.
Ivory Coast: Wilfried Zaha, Ghislain Konan and Yann Karamoh.
Cameroon: Olivier Ntcham, Karl Toko-Ekambi and Jean Onana.
Egypt: Mohamed Elneny and Ahmed Hassan “Koka”.
Nigeria: Isaac Success and Tyronne Ebuehi.
Senegal: M’Baye Niang.
Guinea-Bissau: Carlos Mané.
Libya: Al-Musrati.
Burkina Faso: Bertrand Traoré.
Morocco: Romain Saïss.
DR Congo: Cédric Bakambu.
Comoros: Myziane Maolida.
Angola: Bastos.

Mahrez, Bennacer and Bissouma among the standout options

The list includes several players with considerable European experience. Riyad Mahrez won the Premier League five times, including four titles with Manchester City. Ismaël Bennacer, a 2022 Serie A champion with AC Milan, retains an estimated market value of €8m. At 29, Yves Bissouma also remains an attractive option for clubs seeking an immediately available midfielder.

A free agent can negotiate and sign after the transfer deadline without a transfer fee. However, registration and eligibility to play remain subject to each federation’s rules, squad lists and administrative deadlines. The list could therefore change quickly over the coming days.