Manchester United made use of the free agent market last summer to sign Christian Eriksen, and the club will certainly beware of the players who could become available for nothing at the end of this month.
The bulk of the club's summer activity will come via the regular transfer market, but it would certainly not be a surprise to see the Red Devils bring in a player on a free transfer.
Man United will be able to offer Champions League football to potential new signings, having finished third in the 2022-23 Premier League season, demonstrating their improvement under head coach Erik ten Hag.
Here, Sports Mole picks out three players who could potentially be of interest to Man United at the end of the month, providing that they do not sign new deals with their respective clubs or agree contracts elsewhere.
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach)
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Marcus Thuram's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, and the Frenchman was heavily linked with a move away from Monchengladbach in January, but he finished the season with his German club, managing 16 goals and seven assists in 32 appearances.
Many of the major European clubs are in the market for new forwards this summer, but with the top-drawer strikers that are available likely to cost in excess of £100m, Thuram's availability is an interesting one.
At 25 and with 10 France caps to his name, Thuram is thought to be wanted by a number of top-level European clubs, and he is almost certain to move on at the end of this month.
The forward has scored 44 goals and registered 29 assists in 134 appearances for his current side, while he managed 17 goals and four assists in 72 outings during his time at Guingamp.
Man United could move for two new forwards this summer rather than one, with Wout Weghorst heading back to Burnley following a loan spell, and Anthony Martial also being heavily linked with an exit, so Thuram could be the ideal addition alongside a Harry Kane or a Victor Osimhen.
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
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Man United were heavily linked with Adrien Rabiot during last summer's transfer window and were believed to be close to signing him in a £15m deal, only for his wage demands to scupper a move.
The 28-year-old was in strong form for Juventus during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.
Man United head coach Ten Hag is said to be a huge admirer of the France international, and at least one new midfielder is expected to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, with the futures of Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek all being called into question.
Rabiot ran down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain before signing for Juventus on a free transfer, so he does have previous when it comes to moving between clubs for no transfer fee.
The midfielder impressed for France at the 2022 World Cup and will also have been pleased with his season at Juventus, so his arrival would be a hugely positive one for Man United.
Evan Ndicka (Eintracht Frankfurt)
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Man United will allegedly have to move quickly if they want to sign Evan Ndicka, as Roma are believed to be in pole position when it comes to the centre-back, who is definitely leaving Frankfurt this month.
The 23-year-old was in strong form for his German club during the 2022-23 campaign, making 44 appearances in all competitions, including eight outings in the Champions League.
Ndicka made the move to Frankfurt from Auxerre in 2018, and he has now represented his current side on 183 occasions, scoring 12 goals and registering 10 assists in the process.
Players of his age and experience do not often become available for free, and it is certainly a situation that Man United should be keeping a close eye on.
The Red Devils are well-stocked at the back, but Harry Maguire is expected to leave this summer, while Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly will also move on, opening up room for another centre-back, and his arrival would allow Man United to put more transfer funds into their main priority - signing a new number nine.
