The incredible list of free transfers Aston Villa could complete in the summer

The summer transfer window is set up for a bonanza of freebies as clubs look to get their hands on bargains.

Aston Villa are looking to end their season on a high, and Steven Gerrard's first window in charge of the club ended with five new players being brought in and seven players leaving the club.

The summer window is likely to see Gerrard 's side make a move for a midfielder, with Yves Bissouma believed to be a top target.

He will cost a club-record fee upwards of around £50 million to convince Brighton and Hove Albion to part with the Mali international even though he will be in the final year of his contract when the season ends.

Villa could find value in the free agent market this summer, though, with a clutch of top talent available to sign for no fee upon the conclusion of the campaign.

On the face of it, those deals as free transfers appear to be bargains, but huge signing-on-fees and inflated wages can lead to a big outlay over the course of a contract.

Still, it saves an initial outlay, especially when the players who are running down their contracts are considered.

Jesse Lingard, who has been linked with Villa, is one of them, while the latest player to confirm they will not be extending their terms beyond next season is Niklas Sule, the Bayern Munich centre-back.

Sule is a starter for Bayern, having regained his position at the club following a couple of seasons marred by injury.

"He's a very good player, and we will miss him," Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said of Sule.

High praise indeed for the player who is set to spark competition for his services.

Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie are among the players in a long list of top talent set to become