However, the winter window is notoriously difficult to complete business with clubs reluctant to lose players midway through the season.
One way around the difficulties of the market could be to sign players that are currently unattached to a club or target players who will see their current deals expire in the summer.
The latter one is usually the way clubs go in January, eyeing ways to get cut price deals for players that sides don’t want to lose on a free transfer in just a few months time.
With that in mind, here, we take a look at 13 players that, according to Transfermarkt, are either currently a free agent or will be one in the summer if they do not extend their new deal.
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The latter one is usually the way clubs go in January, eyeing ways to get cut price deals for players that sides don’t want to lose on a free transfer in just a few months time.
![It wasn’t too long ago that Cantwell was being touted with moves to some of England’s biggest clubs, however, his form for Norwich has suffered recently with no goals or assists to his name so far this season. A change of scenery may be required for the 24 year old to get back playing his best football.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQxYzNiZDU1LWM4YmQtNDZhYi05ZGE4LTFhOTZiZjU5NDU3MDo1ZTgzNjc1Yy1iZWZlLTQ0MTctOGIyYy1jYzczYjE2ZTkwMjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Todd Cantwell - contract expiring
It wasn’t too long ago that Cantwell was being touted with moves to some of England’s biggest clubs, however, his form for Norwich has suffered recently with no goals or assists to his name so far this season. A change of scenery may be required for the 24 year old to get back playing his best football. Photo: Stephen Pond
![Carroll most recently played for Ipswich Town in League One before being released this summer. Spells at Swansea City, QPR and Aston Villa mean Carroll has a wealth of Championship experience he could add to Sunderland’s midfield.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmJiMzVhYTAwLTY4OTUtNDU1NS1hOTNhLTI4Njg1Y2I0ZTM0MDowNGI1NmJlYS01M2MzLTQyNTktOTY0Mi0zOWU1MzNkNGI3MWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Tom Carroll - free agent
Carroll most recently played for Ipswich Town in League One before being released this summer. Spells at Swansea City, QPR and Aston Villa mean Carroll has a wealth of Championship experience he could add to Sunderland’s midfield. Photo: Alex Davidson
![Schlupp moved to Crystal Palace from Leicester City in 2017 and has played a big role in Palace’s successes over the five years he has been at the club. Having played in a variety of midfield roles, Schlupp has made 14 league appearances for the Eagles this season.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjhmY2M3YWM5LTFlOTctNGVkNy1hYzhkLWI3ZmFjZjU2YmVjZDoxZjA5ZTNkNi0yMGNjLTRiNDEtYmZkOC0xOWU5YjJmZDkzNmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Jeffrey Schlupp - contract expiring
Schlupp moved to Crystal Palace from Leicester City in 2017 and has played a big role in Palace’s successes over the five years he has been at the club. Having played in a variety of midfield roles, Schlupp has made 14 league appearances for the Eagles this season. Photo: Justin Setterfield
![The 31 year old left Cardiff City this summer having featured just 15 times for the club in the league last season. The Curacao international is a very versatile option and has played in an array of positions throughout his time in England.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE1MDE3Nzg0LTJiODgtNGQwYi05NTYyLTEyMDZjYzY3OGI1ZTowMTA5NWUyZi00YTZjLTQ5ODQtYWExYy02MzhjZDk0YTY2ZDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Leandro Bacuna - free agent
The 31 year old left Cardiff City this summer having featured just 15 times for the club in the league last season. The Curacao international is a very versatile option and has played in an array of positions throughout his time in England. Photo: Gareth Copley