Our favourite frees: goalkeepers, centre-backs and forwards

There are 600+ players available on free transfers from EFL clubs, and NTT20.COM is picking out some eye-catching potential pick-ups ahead of the summer window...

Earlier this week, we published the list of all free transfers in the EFL. There are more than 600 players available on free transfers from EFL clubs, and today, Sam Parry, Huw Davies and Matt Watts are picking out some intriguing possibilities.

So: who are our favourite free forwards, centre-backs and goalkeepers?

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Forwards

Sam Parry

STRIKER!!! — Every club wants a guaranteed source of goals — say, 10+ — hence why there aren’t many available for free. But I spy a few. Jamie Vardy needs no introduction. If a Championship side snaps him up, it’ll be a coup, albeit a ridiculously expensive one. Nahki Wells, still out of contract at Bristol City, proved this season that he’s capable of double digits despite being old enough to remember cassettes.

Further down the pyramid, injuries have disrupted Kabongo Tshimanga’s career, and he’s yet to establish himself at League One level; still, 11 goals in 25 starts for Swindon and a (mostly non-league) career record of about one in three suggest he’ll be in demand among League Two clubs. And don’t forget David McGoldrick at Notts County. Could last season’s bronze medallist in the League Two scoring charts be tempted away from his boyhood club? There are ‘MK’ rumours.

WIDEMEN — Grady Diangana has seemingly been at West Brom forever, until now. He’s one of those players who always seems to draw fouls – nice to have. For many a Championship side in need of a 1-v-1 threat, he’d be a strong pick-up.

There’s Mallik Wilks: destructive on his day, if a little selfish. And how about Josh Koroma? The 26-year-old cutting in off the left and shooting with his right was a sight as common as pigeons in League One in 2024/25. Putting it mildly, his former side – Huddersfield – had a mixed campaign. But, after his best goal-scoring season to date, he’ll be bringing his shooting boots to a Championship or League One side near you.

Josh Koroma shot-map: FotMob

TWO POSH TO GO? — Championship clubs must have at least one eye — or both — on Kwame Poku. When fit, he has looked too good for League One. Across three seasons at Peterborough, his progression is clear: