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By David Manuca
The European transfer window slammed shut in the early hours of Tuesday last week, but a number of big name players boasting top-level experience were left without a club. We take a look at the free agents around the world that could possibly make a move the A-League with marquee status… or not.

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Yossi Benayoun
The 33-year-old Israeli midfielder was released by Chelsea last season, making just 14 appearances for the club after moving from Liverpool in 2010. He enjoyed spells on loan at Arsenal and most previously West Ham, but was unable to find a club in the summer transfer window. If media reports are to be believed though, he is set to join Getafe or Malaga in La Liga in the next few days.

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Mohamed Sissoko
Sissoko is one of the biggest names on the free agency list at the moment, with the player boasting former teams such as Valencia, Liverpool, Juventus and most recently Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old central midfielder has been linked to a switch to Reading in the English Premier League but so far nothing has eventuated.

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Mahamadou Sissoko
Another Sissoko, this time Mahamadou, is also on the free agency list after departing Scottish club Kilmarnock at the end of last season. The 25-year-old French centre-back stands 6 foot 3 and would be a handy addition to any A-League squad. Whether he is valuable enough to be signed as a marquee, that is another question.

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Mahamadou Diarra
Another Mahamadou, this time Diarra, sits on the free agency list after his one-year contract at Fulham ran out at the end of last season. The 32-year-old midfielder has a combined 200+ appearances for Lyon and Real Madrid and has represented his country Mali on 64 occasions and is currently the captain. Fulham manager Martin Jol though has hinted he may give Diarra another chance at the club, but nothing has come of it just yet.

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William Gallas
Most A-League fans will already know that William Gallas is a free agent after an abundance of talk in the past month linking him to Melbourne Victory. The French centre-back, who has had English Premier League experience with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, was released by the latter at the end of last season. Victory manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed last month that the club was in talks with Gallas and are reportedly set to announce a marquee sometime within the next seven days. Could it be?

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Carlton Cole
Victory have also been linked with English striker Carlton Cole in the off-season, but those rumours had a little less substance. Cole, 29, was left without a club when West Ham, the club he has notched up 200+ appearances for since joining in 2006, did not offer to renew his contract. He was reportedly set to re-join the club last week after an injury to Andy Carroll, but failed a medical.

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Glen Loovens
Former Celtic centre-back, Glen Loovens, is another defender on the free agency list. He was left without a club after being released by Spanish club Real Zaragoza at the end of last season. The Dutchman is only 29 and has represented his country on two occasions and was part of the Feyenoord squad that won the 2001 UEFA Cup. Maybe not a marquee, but could be looked at as a healthy addition to any A-League defence if affordable.

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Vincenzo Iaquinta
If anyone’s after a World Cup winning striker then look no further. Vincenzo Iaquinta, 33, was released by Juventus in the off-season after joining the club in 2007. Before that, Iaquinta scored more than 50 goals in 176 appearances for Udinese; a decent Serie A strike rate. He represented Italy at the 2006 World Cup where they defeated France in the final, notching up five appearances in the tournament. Iaquinta was also part of Italy’s squad in South Africa in 2010 where Italy were eliminated in the group stages.

Other notable players:
Oguchi Onyewu – Defender – 31-years-old
Khalid Boulahrouz – Defender – 31-years-old