30 best bargains on Football Manager 2022
By Tom Gott
Taking pride in its realism, Football Manager 2022 has limited the money available to clubs in the wake of a few challenging years on and off the pitch, so bargain buys are more important than ever.
If you've only got the money for one or two signings in the bank, you can't afford to waste a single penny. You need the best possible player and the lowest possible price, and that's where we come in.
Here are some of the best bargains to be found on FM22 after the Winter Update.
Goalkeepers
Thomas Strakosha
Lazio
You won't find much better value in the goalkeeper department that 26-year-old Strakosha of Lazio. His 18 reflexes and 15 positioning make him well suited for any top-flight team, and he can be yours for just £4.7m.
Esteban Andrada
Monterrey
He's never played outside South America, but Andrada is more than good enough for a major European league. At £4m, the 30-year-old is a real hidden gem.
Alex Meret
Napoli
£10m isn't the cheapest price, but that'll get you 24-year-old Meret, who is a top stopper already and just a few years away from hitting that elite status. Sign him and you'll never need to worry about a new goalkeeper.
Right-backs
Danilo D'Ambrosio
Inter
Veteran D'Ambrosio is a gem of a pick-up. Solid on the right and in a central role, he'll set you back as little as £2.5m, You won't find many top defenders for that price.
Denzel Dumfries
Inter
If you've got a little extra budget to spare, go for fellow Inter man Dumfries. £13m is still a steal for a player of his calibre and he'll hold down your defence for the next decade.
Alvaro Odriozola
R. Madrid
Odriozola is no longer wanted in Madrid and available for as little as £6m. The 25-year-old still has time to grow into a genuine superstar.
Centre-backs
Luis Romo
Monterrey
A capable midfielder as well as a centre-back, Monterrey would be a genius signing for a team looking to make a name for themselves in the top flight. You'll find nobody better for his £3.5m asking price and relatively low wages.
Jerome Onguene
RB Salzburg
Long heralded as one of FM's best future superstars, it'll cost you just £2.4m to bring Onguene to your club.
Luis Felipe
Lazio
Stretching the budget at £16m is Felipe. He's not cheap but he's by far the best option available at that price, and he'll soon be worth four or five-times that asking price.
Left-backs
Stefan Radu
Lazio
Sticking with Lazio, veteran defender Radu is a steal at £500,000. His days on a top side are behind him but the Romanian is still good enough to help out.
Jesus Gallardo
Monterrey
The next Monterrey gem that's available is Gallardo. You'll find nobody better for his £3.6m asking price, and that'll look like an even bigger bargain if you can help him grow a little more.
Douglas Santos
Zenit
If you've got £12m to spare, Douglas is your man. An excellent crosser of the ball with 14 passing and 14 technique, he is one of the few budget left-back options that could feature for a top side.
Defensive midfielders
Marc Roca
FC Bayern
We've already touched on Romo, but if you want more of a high-profile option, Roca is your man. 16 passing and 13 tackling for as little as £5m.
Stefano Sensi
Inter (on loan at Sampdoria)
Inter will sell you Sensi for as little as £7m now, but the downside is that he's out on loan for the next season. One to consider if you can wait for a top DM.
Renato Tapia
Vigo
An excellent ball winning midfielder, Tapia can be yours for just £9m. There is nobody better than him at that sort of price.
Central midfielders
Matias Vecino
Inter
Part of Inter's fire sale on midfielders, Vecino is far better than his £3.6m value might suggest.
Edenilson
INT
Brazilian veteran Edenilson has a release clause of just £2.5m and the kind of low wages that should make this an easy move.
Jaime Seoane
Huesca
The same sort of money will get you Seoane from Huesca. The 24-year-old actually has some really nice potential, so he's one to think about if you're in it for the long haul.
Attacking midfielders
Eran Zahavi
PSV
You'll usually see Zahavi find his way to a top league pretty quickly on FM. He's a top midfielder, winger and striker, and he'll only cost you £2.7m.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Chicago
£5m for Shaqiri is a real snip. For that price, you're getting a top-flight calibre player who can play anywhere in the attacking third.
Alejandro Gomez
Sevilla
£17m isn't really a bargain, but when it comes to Papu Gomez, it definitely is. He's one of the best forwards on the entire game and his release clause makes him one of the most attainable as well.
Right wingers
Florian Thauvin
Tigres
Stretch the budget up to £7m and you'll find France international Thauvin, who is another who usually finds his way back to the big leagues in very little time.
Angel Mena
Leon
Veteran winger Mena comes with 15 dribbling, 15 passing, 15 crossing and 14 finishing. At £5m, you won't find much better value than that.
Omer Atzili
Maccabi Haifa
Atzili is your man if you're looking to improve your reputation in a top division. At £1.7m, he's a fantastic signing.
Left wingers
Roland Sallai
SC Freiburg
Sallai makes it in a left wing but could easily have been included in a central role as well. His £5m value and impressive potential make him one of the game's top finds.
Jonathan Rodriguez
Al-Nassr (KSA)
Comfortable out wide or up top, the 28-year-old brings 15 finishing and 15 pace to go along with his £4.5m price tag. A top-tier option.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
FC Bayern
Bayern are ready to sell you Choupo-Moting for as little as £2.5m. That's something any emerging side should consider.
Strikers
Youssef El Arabi
Olympiacos
He might be 34, but El Arabi and his 16 finishing can still hang in a top league for now. He's yours for as little as £1.2m.
Andrea Petagna
Napoli
The giant Petagna is eight years younger than El Arabi, and for that privilege, you'll have to part with £4.75m.
Dries Mertens
Napoli
You'll need to be a bigger side to convince Mertens to listen to you, but it's definitely worth trying your luck regardless who you are. Napoli will let you talk to him for just £3.3m.