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The world of free agents have always been a great way of signing some impressive talent without it breaking the bank.
For a number of players, this summer is the start of the final year of their contracts, with clubs trying to make sales to cash in on their stars.
Ultimately if a deal isn’t reached, the stars are eligible to sign new contracts with a new club from January ready for a summertime move. However for a number of players, they’ll leave their contract with no team lined up.
Manchester United saw this back in July with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial leaving Old Trafford clubless, however Varane has now signed for Italian side Como. Martial is still yet to decide on his next club, however he may be on his way to Serie A as well, with Atalanta considering the France international.
On the other side of the table, United are looking at signing Adrien Rabiot who left Juventus in July at the end of his contract. The midfielder rejected a new contract with Juve amid interest from United, and now the Red Devils have received a boost with Newcastle pulling out of the race.
However, it’s now being reported that one of United’s former attackers is set to return to Serie A after 18 years away from the Italian side.
Alexis Sanchez signs for former club on a free transfer
Alexis Sanchez became a free agent back in July after being released by Inter Milan at the end of his contract.
Now, Sanchez has re-signed for Udinese after 18 years away from the club. Over his three years at the club back in 2008 to 2011, the then 19-year-old made 112 appearances, grabbing 21 goals and 20 assists. His run of impressive performances helped the Italian club achieve a fourth place finish in 2011, and ultimately saw him move to Barcelona for €26 million.
While at Camp Nou, Sanchez built on his run of form, getting 46 goals and 37 assists in 141 games. Three years, a LaLiga title, FIFA Club World Cup title, a Copa del Rey title and tow Supercopa titles later, and the Chilean attacker was on his way to Arsenal for €42.5 million.
It was at the Emirates Stadium that Sanchez really shone though. In 166 games, the 35-year-old managed to net 80 goals, with 43 assists to his name as well. While ay the London-based club, Sanchez lifted three Community Shields and two FA Cups, scoring in both FA Cup finals.
Then, in 2018, United bought the forward for €34 million, however he never quite hit the heights of his peak at Premier League rivals Arsenal. He only made 45 appearances across two seasons where he got five goals and nine assists. Ultimately this led to the star going out on loan, marking his first season with Inter Milan.
The 35-year-old has spent a collective four seasons at Inter Milan, with the loan spell being his first year before they then picked him up on their first of two free transfers for him.
Whilst at San Siro, Sanchez has played a total of 142 games across all competitions, grabbing 24 goals and 28 assists, helping the club claim the Serie A title last season and in 2020/21, the Supercoppa Italiana twice and the Italy Cup in 2021/22.
The Chilean international took a year away from Inter in 2022 where he joined Marseille for a season on a free. While with the French club, he made 44 appearances, grabbing 18 goals and three assists, helping secure a third place finish in Ligue 1.
Last season Udinese came 15th overall, only avoiding relegation by two points. No doubt they’ll be hoping that the signing of Sanchez will give them some more attacking power to fight their way up the table.
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