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The best central midfielders to sign on Football Manager 2023

By Tom Gott

Camavinga is a star
Camavinga is a star / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
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Central midfielders are among the most important players on the pitch. They're the ones who get things going and link the defence to the attack.

Nearly every formation on Football Manager 2023 relies on central midfielders and so it's important to find one or two you can rely on. Fortunately, there are plenty for you to consider, regardless of how much money you're working with.

Here are the best central midfielders to sign on FM23.

Cheap options

Fernando
Antalyaspor

Fernando looks like a bit of a hidden gem out in Turkey. The 30-year-old is far better than his £1.3m price tag would suggest.

Rafael Carioca
Tigres

A nice playmaker on a budget, Carioca is available for £2.2m. Having just turned 33, he's a good short-term option.

Rade Krunic
Milan

Krunic is on the fringes at Milan but is undeniably good enough to start for plenty of other top-flight teams. He'll cost you £4.1m which is more than reasonable for a player of his quality.

Saphir Taider
Free agent

Algerian veteran Taider is a nice all-round midfielder with a specialty for taking penalties.

Isco
Free agent

If you want creativity from your midfield, look no further than Isco. His passing stats are unreal.

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Alvaro Fidalgo
America

He got the nod for our attacking midfielders suggestions and Fidalgo keeps his place here too. At £400,000, he's insane value and far too good to ignore. He's a star for a smaller side or valuable backup for even a top team.

Andres Guardado
Real Hispallis

The versatile Guardado, who can fill in down the left as well as in midfield, is a bargain at £725,000. He brings 16 passing and 17 penalty taking.

Roberto Pereyra
Udinese

The versatile Pereyra is the best player available at this price bracket and will cost you £4.8m.

Marek Hamsik
Trabzonspor

34-year-old Hamsik might not have the legs for 90 minutes these days, but if you want him as a substitute, it'll cost you £625,000.

Rani Khedira
Union Berlin

One of the many success stories from Union Berlin, midfielder Khedira (brother of Sami) is available for just £2.9m.

Reasonable options

Sofyan Amrabat
Fiorentina

After a nice World Cup boost to his stats, Amrabat looks like a great option at £12.5m.

Joao Moutinho
Wolves

With an expiring contract, Wolves will offload Moutinho for as little as £4.5m. You will, however, have to match the 35-year-old's hefty wage demands.

Sergi Roberto
Barcelona

Capable as a defender and a midfielder, Roberto makes a valuable addition to any squad. For just £10.75m, he's a smart buy.

Ever Banega
Al-Shabab

Banega is earning a huge wage in Saudi Arabia which you'll have to match, but if you can, you shouldn't hesitate to meet his £2.4m release clause.

Adam Lallana
Brighton

You don't often find good value in the Premier League, but for £6m, you can't go wrong with Lallana.

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Mateus Uribe
Porto

With 16 tackling and 14 passing, Uribe is comfortable in a number of different midfield roles. He's one of the best players you'll find for anywhere close to his £12.5m asking price.

Jose Campana
Levante

An attack-minded midfielder with 16 passing and 15 vision, Campana is out of contract in the summer but can be signed for a cool £11m if you don't want to wait.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Inter

Mkhitaryan's price tag sits at just £6m, plus some huge wages. He's just joined Inter and won't move clubs immediately, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on.

Dani Ceballos
R. Madrid

Ceballos is on the transfer list when you start the game and can be easily lured away for just £12m.

James Milner
Liverpool

He might be 36, but Milner is still a dependable, top-tier midfielder. You'll only have to spend £2.3m to sign him.

Expensive options

Pedro Goncalves
Sporting CP

Goncalves is already a star but has the potential to become a real superstar in a few years. The 23-year-old will cost you just £32m.

Teun Koopmeiners
Atalanta

Koopmeiners is available for £23m, which is a bargain for a player of his current ability. The 24-year-old has some nice potential as well and will soon be worth far more than that.

N'Golo Kante
Chelsea

Kante is the best player you'll find without spending crazy money, Chelsea will sell the veteran for £41m, but you'll need some massive wages to tempt him to move. One for the elite clubs and elite clubs only.

Eduardo Camavinga
R. Madrid

Camavinga is expensive at £68m, but that price tag is for his potential to become one of the best players on the entire game. Sign the 19-year-old and you'll never need another midfielder.

Gavi
Barcelona

Similarly, Gavi will set you back £57m because of his sky high potential.

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Otavio
Porto

Otavio is versatile enough to play literally anywhere in the attacking third, but he's perhaps best suited for this midfield role. With 16 passing and 14 tackling, he can be whatever you need him to be for £26m.

Adrien Rabiot
Juentus

On an expiring contract, Rabiot can be picked up for a cool £27m.

Sergio Busquets
Barcelona

You can pick Busquets up for as little as £21.5m. It would be weird to see him playing for a club other than Barcelona, but for that sort of money, you can't really say no.

Franck Kessie
Barcelona

Kessie is a similar bargain at £24.5m, although he won't listen to offers straight away after only moving to Barcelona in the summer.

Joao Mario
Benfica

Mario, still only 29, is enjoying a career resurgence with Benfica. He's played his way on to this list and can be yours for just £29.5m.

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