The 100 Best Bargains on FM21

Football Manager 2021 is the must-have game right now, so it's time to start thinking about how you're going to shape your squad once you've taken the plunge.

In the coronavirus-hit world in which we find ourselves these days, transfer budgets have been understandably slashed, so finding a bargain in the transfer market has arguably never been more important.

Sure, you could just send your scouts all over the world, but why not save some time and check out 90min's list of 100 of the best bargains on FM21?

Goalkeepers

Ivan
PON

Down in Brazil's second tier, you'll find 22-year-old Ivan who is just waiting for the chance to strut his stuff in a top division somewhere.

Mattia Perin
Genoa (on loan from Juventus)

Juventus don't want Mattia Perin anymore, but that doesn't mean the Italy international is past his best. At 27 years old, he can give you a few years of top performances.

Ionut Radu
Inter

Inter have signed Radu twice in his career and he's only 23 years old, so that should give you a good idea of the kind of the potential the Romanian international has showcased in his young career.

Esteban Andrada
Boca

Having finally earned a spot in the Argentinian national team, Boca goalkeeper Andrada has blossomed into one of his country's top goalkeepers at the ripe old age of 29.

Sebastian Jurado
Cruz Azul

A bit more of a work-in-progress, Jurado was recently picked up by Cruz Azul after some promising performances for Veracruz, and he has been tipped for a bright future in Mexico.

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Predrag Rajkovic
Reims

A well-known name to any seasoned FM player, Rajkovic has been strutting his stuff in France since 2019, and he has proved to us that the hype around him is justified. Pick him up immediately.

Lazar Carevic
Barcelona

We'd all love to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but for any team on a budget, settling for Barcelona B's Carevic isn't the worst outcome. The 21-year-old has plenty of potential and looks like a smart long-term investment.

David Raya
Brentford

Arsenal wanted Raya during the summer, and it's not hard to see why. The Brentford stopper, who counts as a home-grown player in the Premier League, is ready for a test in the top flight.

Wuilker Farinez
RC Lens (on loan from Millonarios)

Another FM legend, Farinez has been handed his first taste of European football with Lens, but once his loan expires, you should be right at the front of the queue for the 22-year-old's signature.

Danny Ward
Leicester City

Ward may not have played much for either Liverpool or Leicester, but he has plenty of Premier League experience and would make a good backup for a top side, or you could be the manager to finally give Ward some first-team football.

Right Backs

Sam Byram
Norwich City

Having dropped down into the Championship, Byram's value has taken a bit of a tumble, and you should take advantage of that. The Norwich speedster would be a shroud pick-up for any side.

Elseid Hysaj
Napoli

It doesn't seem long ago that Hysaj was in the discussion for the Serie A's top right-back. The Albanian's stock has dropped somewhat in the last few years, but he's still a dependable option.

Jon Flanagan
Charleroi

He's not the Liverpool wonderkid he once was, but Flanagan can still get a job done for a mid-table side, and the fact he's playing out in Belgium means his asking price is affordable for most sides.

Nathaniel Clyne
Crystal Palace

If you can keep Clyne healthy, you might just be able to get him back to being one of England's top right-backs.

Lewie Coyle
Hull City

Coyle is far too good to be playing in the English third tier. He's not going to win the Ballon d'Or, but the versatile 24-year-old is still more than good enough to plug a whole in any mid-table squads.

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Tin Jedvaj
Bayer 04

Comfortable both on the right and in the centre, Jedvaj is a young, versatile defender whose best years are still ahead of him. He's going to make one manager very happy, so make sure it's you.

Martin Montoya
Real Hispalis

How is Montoya only 29? It feels like he's been around for an eternity! Comfortable on both sides, the former Barcelona starlet still has a good few years left in the tank.

Igor Perduta
Vorskla

You won't get too much from the ageing Perduta, but he's one of the cheapest options on this list. If you need a short-term answer, here you go.

Erick Aguirre
Pachuca

Once seen as one of the world's top young starlets, Aguirre is yet to make the jump expected of him, but at 23, there's still plenty of time for the Mexican to turn things around. Maybe he just needs the right manager?

Felix Passlack
Borussia Dortmund

Another regular on these lists in the last few years, 22-year-old Passlack is one of the more expensive options when it comes to 'bargains', but sometimes you've just got to pay up for young, versatile stars.

Centre-Backs

Aissa Mandi
Real Hispalis

Recently linked with Liverpool, Mandi is an experienced head who could offer some cover for any top side on the planet. He's comfortable anywhere across the back line, and that can be invaluable over a long season.

Amir Rrahmani
Napoli

A recent pick-up by Napoli, Rrahmani is a mountain of a defender who can even switch out to the right if needed. He's got all the attributes needed to help a mid-table side.

Facundo Medina
RC Lens

As a former left-back, Medina isn't the most physically imposing centre-back around, but he still possesses the kind of skills you'd expect from a full-back. The 21-year-old is speedy and comfortable in possession.

Roman Yevgenjev
Dinamo Moscow

Yevgenjev seems destined for a big move soon. The 21-year-old is now a senior Russian international and is only going to see his stock rise as the years go by so get ASAP.

Ramiro Funes Mori
Villarreal

Former Everton man Funes Mori is out on the fringes of the Villarreal squad these days, so here's your chance to snap up a defender with top-level experience for cheap.

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Joris Gnagnon
Sevilla

Gnagnon was the French wonderkid at Sevilla a few years ago, but Jules Kounde has stolen his limelight somewhat. The 23-year-old needs a change of scenery, and it should definitely be with your team.

Jores Okore
AaB

Okore has been a bargain on almost every FM game for the last decade. The former Aston Villa man is still only 28, so he can give you a few good years of service for an affordable price.

Anel Ahmedhodzic
Malmo FF

21-year-old Ahmedhodzic's performances on the real pitch have earned him links to Chelsea, so here's your chance to sneak in ahead of the Blues and grab yourself a bargain.

Mert Cetin
Verona (on loan from Roma)

After a few impressive years in Turkey, the towering Cetin is now trying his hand at life in Serie A with Verona. His profile is still fairly small, so big now before you get priced out in a few years.

Erik Sviatchenko
FC Midtjylland

Injuries meant Celtic lost Sviatchenko too soon, but now he's back in Midtyjlland, and that means his price tag has dropped down too.

Left-Backs

Faouzi Ghoulam
Napoli

Left-back is the spot for bargains this year. Ghoulam was one of the Serie A's elite just a few years ago, and at 29 years old, he'd still do a job in your team.

Danny Rose
Tottenham

You won' find many stars more established than Rose who can be picked up for cheap. With an expiring contract and no future at Spurs, here's your chance to pick up a top-calibre player without denting your budget.

Federico Ricca
Club Brugge

Uruguayan Ricca, who can also do a job at centre-back if you're getting desperate, comes with three years of La Liga experience with Malaga. He's 25 years old, so he still has some room to grow.

Layvin Kurzawa
Paris SG

Another of those to be a victim of his club's big squad, 28-year-old Kurzawa boasts a huge trophy cabinet thanks to his time with PSG, but with no chance of first-team football on the horizon, you can lure him away for cheap.

Jetro Willems
Eintracht Frankfurt

Since leaving the Eredivisie, Willems hasn't had it easy. It's not hard to lure the Dutchman away from Frankfurt.

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Toni Lato
Valencia

While a lot of these bargains are approaching the end of their careers, Lato's is just beginning. He's only 22 at the start of the game, so bag yourself a steal and you've got your defence sorted for the next decade.

Fode Ballo-Toure
AS Monaco

There are high hopes for young Ballo-Toure, who has all the attributes needed to become a star. There's some real work to be done, however, so a good manager needs to unlock his potential.

Baba Rahman
Chelsea

Rahman's time at Chelsea is over. That's no secret. The Blues want him off the wage book, so you should be able to snap him up for nearly half his value if you act fast.

Junior Firpo
Barcelona

Jordi Alba's going nowhere, and that means Firpo probably is. He's 23 and too young to be wasting away on the bench, so if you move quick, you can secure a long-term defender for an unbelievable fee.

Jordan Amavi
OM

There's no reason for Amavi to be so cheap, but we're not here to question things, we're only here to take advantage. He can play anywhere on the left side and wouldn't be out of place at any side in a top league.

Defensive Midfielders

Wilmar Barrios
Zenit

He's not as cheap as he was when he was playing in Argentina, but Barrios is still a must-buy for any manager looking to bolster their midfield on a budget.

Mauro Arambarri
Getafe

Comfortable at the base, you can even move Arambarri over to the right side of midfield for emergency cover.

Victor Wanyama
Montreal Impact

After leaving Tottenham in January 2020, Wanyama's value plummeted, which gives you the chance to pick up a top-tier option for cheap.

Jonas Meffert
Holstein Kiel

Too good for the German second tier, Meffert can be brought in for pocket change, and he's good enough to make an impact in any top division.

Matias Kranevitter
Monterrey

After two underwhelming years with Zenit, Kranevitter is now playing in Mexico. He's got the value of a 27-year-old playing in an obscure league, but the stats of somebody who deserves to be playing for a good side in Europe.

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Pape Gueye
OM

Touted as one of Ligue 1's most exciting young midfielders, Gueye's value is going to soar in just a few years, so he's one of those you need to move quickly for.

Albin Ekdal
Sampdoria

30-year-old Ekdal has a few good years left in him, and he'd make a great option for any mid-table side.

Johannes Geis
1. FCN

At 26 years old, Geis is still looking for his place in the football world. He's currently in the German second division, and his value reflects that.

Eder Alvarez Balanta
Club Brugge

No longer the guaranteed future superstar that he once was in FM, Alvarez Balanta is still a solid midfielder who is capable of filling in at the back as well. The best of both worlds.

Ogenyi Onazi
SonderjyskE

Once a Lazio stalwart, Onazi surprisingly ended up in Denmark during the summer. He's good enough to make it back to a top division, and he'll probably only cost you a six-figure sum.

Central Midfielders

Simon Tibbling
FC Emmen

26-year-old Tibbling, who can play anywhere across the midfield, has finally landed his move out of Sweden. He's in the Eredivisie right now, but he's got the kind of skills that will attract plenty of suitors soon enough.

Joao Mario
Sporting (on loan from Inter)

Inter are keen to offload Mario and they're ready to accept lower than his value to sell. He might not be the player he once was, but Mario still has a real engine and a quality eye for a pass.

Roberto Gagliardini
Inter

Another of those on the fringes at Inter, 26-year-old Gagliardini is very easy to pick up from the Italian side.

Teboho Mokoena
SuperSport Utd

One of South Africa's top stars, Mokoena is good enough to make the move over to Europe, and at 23 years old, he can bolster your midfield for years to come.

Nabil Bentaleb
Schalke 04

Schalke are looking to sell to help boost their financial situation, and that means Bentaleb can be signed for around his base value, which is a bargain for a 25-year-old midfielder with top-flight experience.

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Evander
FC Midtjylland

He's one of the more expensive options on the list, but Evander is worth every penny. The 22-year-old Brazilian can star in any position across the midfield and is only going to get better.

Aleix Febas
Mallorca

Having been trained in Real Madrid's academy, Febas is out on his own now with Mallorca. He might not be a world-beater, but he's one of those playmakers who can really make a difference.

Jozabed
Malaga (on loan from Celta)

Celta have moved on from attack-minded Jozabed, and they're just waiting for somebody to come in and take him off their hands.

Ryan Gauld
Farense

Eight years ago, Gauld was a guaranteed future star. Now 24, things haven't worked out that way, but he's still good enough (and young enough) to make a difference.

Mathias Jensen
Brentford

He might be just 24, but Jensen has been all over Europe already. He's part of a Brentford side who are pushing for promotion to the Premier League, and it's just a matter of time before he's playing in the division.

Attacking Midfielders

Ante Coric
VVV-Venlo (on loan from Roma)

Another of those on the expensive side, Coric justifies his value by being a 23-year-old midfielder who is still seen as a potential star of the future.

Nick Powell
Stoke City

Now 26, Powell isn't the young starlet who joined Manchester United anymore, but he's still a reliable midfielder who can be picked up from a struggling Stoke side for cheap.

Hany Mukhtar
Nashville

Comfortable centrally and on the left, Mukhtar is strutting his stuff over in MLS with Nashville, but he's got the skills to impress back in Europe.

Ganso
Fluminense

Neymar's partner-in-crime all those years ago, Ganso is 31 now and is coming towards the end of his career, but he's still got a year or two left in the tank.

Lovro Majer
Dinamo

Majer always gets picked up by a top side in every FM game, so make sure you're the one at the front of the queue.

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Lucas Fernandes
Portimonense

It's a no-brainer in this position. Fernandes is just 22 years old, can play anywhere in attack and comes with a very affordable price tag. There's nothing more you could want from a bargain midfielder.

Kieran Dowell
Norwich City

Dowell found a much-needed change of scenery after leaving Everton during the summer, joining Norwich in the Championship. He's already good enough for that level and may even get a little better with the right coaching.

Yunus Malli
Vfl Wolfsburg

28-year-old Malli is at home centrally but also possesses the skill to impress out on the left if you need him to.

Kevin Agudelo
Spezia (on loan from Genoa)

Spezia have an option to sign Agudelo permanently, but if they don't take Genoa up on the offer, make sure you do.

Bojan Krkic
Montreal Impact

Yep, that Bojan. He's 29 and kicking it out in Montreal, which has helped him get his groove back after a tricky few years.

Right Wingers

Eduardo Salvio
Boca

A serial winner with Benfica, Salvio returned to Argentina a little sooner than expected. He's only 29 at the start of the game and is still good enough to do a job for any side.

Jordi Mboula
Mallorca

Having spent seven years with Barcelona, Mboula knows how to play football. A move to Monaco saw his career stall - can you be the manager to get things going again?

Lucas Vazquez
Real Madrid

A firm favourite of Zinedine Zidane's on the real pitch, Vazquez isn't as valuable to Real on FM, which should be music to your ears.

Patrick Roberts
Middlesbrough (on loan from Man City)

City are yet to unlock Roberts' full potential, and now he's 23 years old, they've effectively given up on him. The bargain sensors should be tingling.

Carles Gil
New England

At 27, Gil still has a few more years before he should be contemplating winding his career down. The versatile creator can be picked up for less than his value, which will make each of his assists even sweeter.

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Eirik Hestad
Molde

25-year-old Hestad is Molde born and bred. He's not going to score 100 goals a season, but he's far better than his value might suggest, and that's enough for us. In a position in which players can be quite expensive, Hestad won't break the bank.

Lazar Markovic
Partizan

Now 26, Markovic is no wonderkid these days. Instead, he's a solid player who can shine on both wings, and he's almost worryingly cheap.

Alessandro Schopf
Schalke 04

A do-it-all kind of player, Schopf is at home in attack but can even be dropped back into defence if you're getting desperate. He's a manager's dream.

Fede Cartabia
Shabab Al-Ahli (on loan from Deportivo)

Cartabia has never really settled with Deportivo, who are keen to cash in now before he enters the final year of his contract.

Alejandro Chumacero
Puebla

Having starred for the team with the best name in football, The Strongest, Chumacero is now dribbling his way around defenders in Mexico. His value is pennies compared to a lot of other players.

Left Wingers

Javi Ontiveros
Huesca (on loan from Villarreal)

A tricky winger who is comfortable on both sides of the pitch, Ontiveros is just 23 years old and capable of blossoming into a real star for any side on the planet.

Zakaria Bakkali
Anderlecht

As the youngest hat-trick scorer in Eredivisie history, Bakkali has struggled to justify the excitement around him just yet, but he's still only 24.

Yacine Brahimi
Al-Rayyan

Capable of a moment of magic or two, Brahimi has long been linked with a number of Europe's top sides, and he's good enough to hang with most of them.

Jairo
Malaga

Jairo has been kicking around in second tiers across Europe for the last few years, but don't let that fool you. If you're a mid-table side looking for some depth out wide, he's your man.

Pione Sisto
FC Midtjylland

Sisto's time in Spain didn't work out really, and now he's back where it all began. The 25-year-old's stock isn't as high as it once was, but he's an explosive winger who is capable of making a difference in any side.

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Viktor Fischer
FC Kobenhavn

If you buy just one player from this list, make it Fischer. A winger who can play up top, his value is inexplicably low to Kobenhavn, who will let you rob them if you ask about the 26-year-old. Even if you don't really want him, he's a walking profit.

Nicolas De La Cruz
River

A one-time target of Manchester City, River starlet De La Cruz is playing his way into a move to Europe in the near future.

Shoya Nakajima
FCP

Japan international Nakajima is known for his flair and dribbling skills, and he can light it up on both sides of the pitch.

Florinel Coman
FCSB

Another of those who will surely be playing for a top side soon enough, 22-year-old Coman is already a star in Romania and looks ready for a new challenge.

Vitinho
Flamengo

Most known for is time in Russia with CSKA Moscow, Vitinho is back in his native Brazil these days, where he can be picked up for marginally less than his value.

Strikers

Saido Berahino
Charleroi (on loan from Zulte Waregem)

Now 27 years old, it's safe to say that Berahino's career hasn't panned out the way most expected it to. Could you be the manager to get him back on track?

Stevan Jovetic
AS Monaco

At 31, Jovetic's best years are behind him, but he's still a lethal finisher who could star for a smaller side or offer some cover for a top team.

Borja Mayoral
Roma (on loan from Real Madrid)

23-year-old Mayoral is facing a crossroads in his career. A spot with Real looks unlikely, so the offer of a new home may just be too good for him to turn down.

Fedor Chalov
CSKA Moscow

Slightly expensive, but it's understandable. Chalov is still just 22 but is tearing it up in Russia. Top teams are taking notice already.

Andrea Pinamonti
Inter

With Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez already on the books, Inter have no need for young Pinamonti, who could easily grow into a star elsewhere.

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Jonas Wind
FC Kobenhavn

Known for his love of a Panenka, 21-year-old Wind is a mountain of a striker with a surprisingly good touch. He can already do it all, and it's just a matter of time before he gets snapped up by one of Europe's big boys.

Antonio Sanabria
Real Hispalis

Another of those with a rich FM history, Sanabria is now 24 and looking for a new home, with his club keen to cash in and move on.

Kuki Zalazar
Valladolid

Comfortable in midfield, out wide and in attack, Kuki is a versatile 22-year-old who is just looking for the right manager to turn him into the star he has long been touted as.

Raul Ruidiaz
Seattle

At 30, you won't have too much time with Ruidiaz, but he's playing some of the best football of his career these days and has regularly been spotted joining some of Europe's elite in older FM games.

John Guidetti
Alaves

Another of those who feels far older than he is, 28-year-old Guidetti has an impressive goalscoring record in both Spain and the Netherlands, and the former City academy starlet should be on your radar if you're looking for a new forward.

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