Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring a goal during the Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena on May 18 in Munich, Germany. Photo: VCG

It's strange to think it but the most important act in club soccer of the last 50 years happened in Luxembourg of all places.

It was December 15, 1995 and the European Court of Justice made a decision that would change the game forever. That was the day that they ruled in favor of a Belgian first-division player over his club and handed players their passport to freedom of movement and untold financial rewards.

The footballer in question was Jean-Marc Bosman and his name has entered the language of the global game. "He's available on a Bosman," meaning that a player is out of contract in the summer and is free to talk to other clubs with a view to moving at the expiration of the deal with his current club.

This has meant clubs have decisions to make. Do they ensure they negotiate contract extensions in order to keep a player with a view to being able to sell them for a fee? Do they instead let them run it down to get their wages off the books and free the funds up for a new signing or better deals for other members of the team?

Often it is not their decision to make. Ander Herrera and Aaron Ramsey both took the decision to turn down new deals tabled by their clubs. Not only do they get to sign better deals but they are also both moving to better clubs this summer: Herrera swapping Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain, Ramsey leaving Arsenal for Juventus.   

Many other big names are out of contract this summer but their future whereabouts remain unknown. Here we take a look at some of the most interesting options available for free.

Arjen Robben

There are some players who seem more machine than man and Robben is one of them. How else can everyone know what he is going to do - cut inside from the right and hammer the ball home with his left foot - but not be able to do anything about it? After 10 years at Bayern Munich he is taking his skills elsewhere and at 35 he still has a few years depending on where he ends up. Could that be a return to his native Netherlands, like many Dutch masters before him, or will he take the opportunity to wow fans in the MLS or Chinese Super League?

Franck Ribery

Robben's partner in crime on the opposite flank at the Allianz Arena, the France winger has also bid farewell to Munich after 12 years terrorising defenses. He has been linked to former club Marseille and the man once described by Zinedine Zidane as the "jewel of French football" could still shine in his homeland. He still has the profile to be a marquee signing in one of the nascent new markets.  

Danny Welbeck

The Arsenal and England man has had a career that has been curtailed by injury and at 28 he will hope the worst is now behind him. Welbeck is well loved despite the setbacks, and that goes for in the stands as well as in the dressing room. The best move for a man who has amassed 42 England caps and a creditable scoring record of 16 international goals would be one where he is first choice. Several Premier League teams should be able to offer that but don't rule out a move abroad for the former Manchester United man.

Mario Balotelli

Super Mario's storied career is set to take another turn this summer and where he ends up next is anyone's guess. He has already played in England, Italy and France - and played for more than one club in each. Balotelli is a risk but one worth taking as he is surely due a season where he delivers on the undoubted promise he exhibited as a teen and has shown in spurts since. A return to Serie A might be best for the striker but with Balotelli, you never know.

Andy Carroll

Like Welbeck, Carroll has seen his obvious potential stifled by a series of setbacks. These injuries mean he has not had a regular run of soccer since his days at Newcastle United. The form he showed then earned him a move to Liverpool, where he was signed alongside Luis Suarez to replace the goals of Fernando Torres,  and his hometown club might be the place to resurrect his goal touch. Owner Mike Ashley will certainly like the fee being zero, while manager Rafa Benitez has used big strikers to good effect this season.

Juan Mata

The nicest man in soccer? Manchester United fans will be sad to see him go but the Spanish midfield maestro does not fit the style of play that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to play and that means pastures new for the former Chelsea and Valencia man. There has been talk linking him to Barcelona and a return to La Liga would suit his laconic, cerebral style. Wherever he goes he is sure to become a fan favourite.

Adrien Rabiot

The PSG midfielder is only 24 but he is availble on a free after an awful year. First he was left out of the France squad - and refused to be on the standby list - that went on to win the World Cup in Russia and then he has been frozen out in Paris. He refused a contract offer and has not played since December. He needs a move to restart his career but Rabiot and his mother - who is also his agent - appear to have their pick of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.