Free agents: The best players still available to sign despite the transfer window being closed

Plenty of players are still up for grabs

Victor Valdes (GETTY IMAGES)

The transfer window may be firmly shut - despite the late arrival of Tom Cleverley to Aston Villa - but there are still plenty of players available should clubs be interested.

Here are 20 of the best (we use that term very liberally) players still available if Louis van Gaal and Co want to continue their summer spend.

Victor Valdes

The former Barcelona No 1 is likely on his way to Liverpool to provide some competition to Simon Mignolet. But the Spaniard is a an excellent stopper and comes with unrivalled experience.

Joseph Yobo

The experienced defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Norwich last season and while the Canaries couldn't avoid relegation, the former Everton and Nigeria centre-back proved he had plenty left in the tank during the World Cup.

Jonas

The 30-year-old was hit by injury last season but managed to score 10 goals in 22 matches for Valencia - that followed two seasons where he scored 19 goals in each for the Spanish side, mostly playing as a second striker.

Hugo Almeida

Only 30, the 6ft 3in striker possesses the strength to make it as a target man in the Premier League and scored a handy 15 goals in the Turkish Premier League last season.

Ronaldinho

Once the world's best player, Ronaldinho is now 34 and way, way past his prime. But just for the star power alone, we'd love to see the buck-toothed Brazilian finally have a crack at the Premier League.

Ronaldinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Adriano

Another player on this list more for the memories than his actual current ability - Adriano has barely played a game since 2011, which is a real shame as at one time he could have become one world class.

Juan Agudelo

Only on this list because of a work permit issue that forced former club Stoke City to release him. The American striker is talented and if a club can afford to stash him abroad for a year or two then they should consider it.

Tomasz Kuszczak

The former Manchester United goalkeeper was Brighton's first-choice for each of the last two seasons and performed well as the club reached the play-offs in both those seasons. Would suit a back-up job in the Premier League.

Chris Eagles

Clearly talented but fell out of favour under Dougie Freedman at Bolton, the former Manchester United winger scored just one goal in only 18 matches last season. But he could still make an impact in England's top flight.

Tim Wiese

Was Werder Bremen's No 1 for a long time and made it to the 2010 World Cup but a poor start at bew club Hoffenheim left him as the club's second choice. Didn't play a game last season but still young for a goalkeeper at 32.

Jermaine Pennant

Another troubled but talented winger, despite seemingly being around forever Pennant is only 31. May be a lost cause at this stage.

William Gallas

The French centre-back was once among the very best but now 37, a disastrous spell in Australia means it's probably time to retire.

Jack Collison

The ex-West Ham midfielder was cruelly cut down by injury just as he looked to be developing into a top player for both club and Wales. Since returning he has struggled to break into Championship clubs Bournemouth and Wigan while on loan.

Jack Collison (Getty Images)

Matt Etherington

Now 33, Etherington has lost the pace that made him a stalwart in the West Ham and Stoke City teams for more than a decade. But he has valuable Premier League experience.

Titus Bramble

Bramble spent all of last season without a club, and though not officially retired, the error-prone centre-back is finished at the top level.

Diego Lugano

Lugano's solitary season at The Hawthorns was a miserable one but he still made it into the Uruguay squad - with 95 international caps and league titles in Uruguay, Brazil and Turkey his experience is invaluable.

Vicenzo Iaquinta

Iazquinta was once deadly for Udinese and Juventus but, although not officially retired, he hasn't played since 2012.

Nicolas Anelka

Le Sulk is still looking for a club after the infamous 'quenelle' gesture led to him being sacked from West Brom last season. A proven goalscorer if a club is willing to put up with his heaps of baggage.

Nicolas Anelka

El Hadji Diouf

We're starting to scrap the bottom of the barrel here, once a promising talent El Hadji Diouf is no longer good enough to put up with his nonsense.

Emmanuel Frimpong

A cautionary tale, Frimpong thought he had made it as a footballer before playing 20 games for Arsenal. Couldn't get into the Barnsley team by the end of his time there.