Predicting where soon-to-be free agents will end up this summer

A frenetic winter transfer window has come and gone, and with clubs shifting the recruitment focus to the summer, a slew of free agents with contracts set to lapse present an opportunity for thrifty additions.

Any player with a deal set to lapse in the summer became privy to offers from other clubs upon the opening of the January window, prompting some of Europe's biggest sides to get their business done before overtures arrived. Arsenal did so, signing Mesut Ozil to a new deal, and Juventus appears close to extending defensive lynchpin Giorgio Chiellini.

Here's a look at some of the best talent available on a free transfer in the summer and what they can offer prospective employers:

Mario Balotelli: Once typified as a footballer with heaps of talent whose progression was stunted by off-pitch behaviour, Balotelli, 27, has found an equilibrium at Nice. Last season's career-best 15 league tallies has set the table for 13 in 17 this year, and with a second-successive one-year Cote d'Azur deal set to expire, an argument can be made that Balotelli deserves a return to one of Europe's marquee clubs.

Potential destination: Marseille

Jonathan Bamba: A handful of Premier League sides were in for versatile Saint-Etienne attacker Bamba in January, and with rumblings that the Franco-Ivorian was tempted by a move, Les Verts' failure in making a profit on the 21-year-old amounts to a misgiving. Able to play anywhere across the frontline, Bamba has six goals in 16 starts this season, with a rocket last week against Caen a fitting sample of a player on the rise.

Potential destination: Monaco

Arjen Robben: When he gets the ball on the right flank 40 yards from goal, Robben's cut-in and subsequent thunderous left-footed strike is at the same time one of football's most predictable sequences and the hardest to defend. Robben's future is anything but certain, and with current terms for both the 34-year-old depilated Dutchman and Franck Ribery expiring in the summer, Bayern Munich could be set for an infusion of youth in wide positions.

Potential destination: Stays at Bayern Munich

Jack Wilshere: On the precipice of first-team football after an erratic loan last season at Bournemouth with a leg break, Wilshere, 26, has been one of Arsenal's best players this season. A much-needed source of midfield stimulant and stability, chatter has surfaced suggesting the oft-injured left-footer is nearing an incentive-based contract with Arsenal, who would be daft not to extend one of the few players in the squad with vigor.

Potential destination: Stays at Arsenal

Emre Can: With one foot out the door amid reports of a summer switch to Juventus as Sami Khedira's natural successor, recent reports have linked Germany international Can with a Liverpool stay. A move to Turin makes more sense for the 24-year-old who would presumably slot in for his sluggish countryman alongside Blaise Matuidi and Miralem Pjanic, a deal that's likely to get done before Can kicks off with Die Mannschaft in Russia.

Potential destination: Juventus

Max Meyer: After years of selling players the ilk of Julian Draxler and Leroy Sane for decent returns, Schalke is mired in a two-year spell of terrible planning that has seen Joel Matip, Roman Neustadter, Sead Kolasinac, and now Leon Goretzka walk for free. Meyer is next, and with the 22-year-old boasting a versatile set of skills in both a withdrawn central position or as an attacking mid, the four-time capped German international is a bargain.

Potential destination: Bayern Munich

Luke Shaw: Before shattering his leg last season against PSV, English left-back Shaw was one of Europe's emerging full-backs. A year and change on, and after repeated visits to Jose Mourinho's doghouse, the 22-year-old Southampton product has made four 90-minute appearances in 2018, with United keeping a clean sheet in all four matches. Shaw has the brightest future of a slew of Red Devils contractual misfits.

Potential destination: Tottenham Hotspur

Miranda: Fighting for a spot on Tite's Brazil squad heading to Russia, Miranda has enjoyed a solid campaign for Inter despite a muscle concern that saw him miss time over the holiday. A no-nonsense centre-half that fancies a timely tackle and the occasional rash challenge, 33-year-old Miranda still has some football in his legs and could be a viable option should I Nerazzurri not follow through on a reported early-season push to extend the player's terms.

Potential destination: Stays at Inter

Stefan de Vrij: Reportedly a winter window back-up plan for Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk chase, countryman and fellow Oranje centre-back De Vrij is a capable and composed player who gets a fraction of the plaudits of his ponytailed pal. Skilled with the ball at his feet, the 26-year-old has made 21 Serie A appearances this season for Lazio and appears unlikely to agree to new terms at the Stadio Olimpico.

Potential destination: Chelsea

Juanfran: Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran is gracefully approaching his professional career's latter stages a step slower than he once was, though the 22-time-capped international was never known for his pace. Instead, the 33-year-old offers a defensive-minded capacity that many of his younger, speedier peers haven't yet added to their games, and with 15 appearances in all comps this season amid a hamstring niggle, Juanfran isn't done quite yet.

Potential destination: Fenerbahce

Pepe Reina: With reports suggesting Reina is waffling on signing new terms at Napoli, the 34-year-old could be set for a summer switch as the Serie A leader monitors Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Leno. Bit shortsighted that, considering the 35-year-old leads Italy's top flight with 10 clean sheets courtesy of top-class shot-stopping abilities as Napoli boasts a league-fewest 14 goals conceded.

Potential destination: Newcastle United

Bench: Iker Casillas (Porto), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Oguzhan Ozyakup (Besiktas), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)