Messi 2nd & Pogba 7th - The most valuable players to move clubs on free transfers (original) (raw)
Rabiot joins Marseille
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Speculation over Adrien Rabiot’s future has raged all summer but the most valuable free agent has now found his new club. The 29-year-old was without a club after his contract expired with Juventus on June 30th despite featuring regularly for France at Euro 2024. Rabiot was linked with a number of top European clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester United but he has returned to his homeland to join Marseille.
The former PSG midfielder has penned a two-year deal with Marseille as they look to challenge for the Ligue 1 title as they embark on a new era under Roberto de Zerbi. Marseille are unbeaten in their opening four league games and occupy second place, two points behind PSG. Rabiot was the most valuable free agent at €35 million before penning his deal with Marseille and he ranks as the 15th most valuable player to join a club on a free transfer. Some star names have moved under the freedom of contract, so let’s take a look at the most valuable stars!
The most valuable players to move on free transfers
Unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappé takes top spot with the French superstar’s market value on Transfermarkt standing at €180m when he joined Real Madrid this summer. Mbappe’s move to the Spanish capital was one of the most protracted sagas in history but he finally left PSG this summer after his contract expired. As the graphic below illustrates, Lionel Messi held the record for the most valuable player to move clubs on a free transfer after his famous move to PSG in 2021.
The top three deals all involve French champions PSG with Gianluigi Donnarumma ranking third after his move to Paris when his contract at AC Milan expired, also in 2021. David Alaba’s decision to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid and Robert Lewandowski swapping Bundesliga giants complete the top five. Paul Pogba left Manchester United twice on free transfers but his return to Juventus ranks seventh when the former French international was valued at €48m. Interestingly, Rabiot features twice in the top twenty list - which you can view in full below - as he was also valued at €35m when he moved from PSG to Juventus on a free in 2019.