Quality bargains for top-flight teams in Football Manager 2021

If you are managing in one of the bigger leagues in Europe, you might wish to keep an eye out for one of these bargains in Football Manager 2021.

If you are managing in one of the bigger leagues in Europe, you might wish to keep an eye out for one of these bargains in Football Manager 2021.

As a manager, nothing can feel better than picking a player up for a small sum of money and turning them around. Sure, smashing the club record is exciting, as is bringing in a big name who can take your team to the next level. Nothing quite matches the feeling, though, of that free transfer from a smaller league (or better yet, the academy) smashing the ball home to win the title. Who, then, might you want to keep an eye out for this year?

If you are managing in one of the bigger leagues in Europe, you might wish to keep an eye out for one of these bargains. Even those at larger fishes in smaller ponds might wish to cast the rod into this list of players. Who knows? You might find yourself a bargain worth shelling out for.

Alexandr Maximenko

Starting out with a goalkeeper, and young Alexandr Maximenko of Spartak Moscow would make plenty sense. He’s only 22, and you get plenty of years out of him from a young age. He’s likely available in the single-digit millions, and with a starting value of around €500,000, he isn’t going to cost you too much.

He’s a quality goalkeeper, and very modern in that he can make shots with hands and feet whilst being able to play a bit. Definitely, one to keep an eye on if you are searching for a goalkeeper to build around long-term. 

Mykyta Burda

At 25, Burda is an interesting signing to consider if you want a tough defender who is still decent enough on the ball. He’s young enough that he can still go to the next level, whilst also having enough experience now to come in and play in just about any top-flight team.

Burda definitely has the ability to go the next level and should be available for something in the region of €5m. He’s a player definitely worth considering, especially if you are looking for a defender who can combine technical smarts with an overall impressive physical game.

Almamy Toure

While many FM regulars will have signed Toure in the past, Almamy Toure is definitely one to consider. The 24-year-old Frenchman, who is also eligible to play for Mali, is a versatile player. He could easily play on the right-side of a back three, in a back two, or (probably primarily) a solid all-around right-back.

You might need to pay something in the region or €4-5m for Toure, but it would be money well spent. At 24, he has ample improvement to come in his later years and could definitely add something a little different to your team given time to grow.

Mauro Arambarri

Every midfield needs a bit of grit, and few options are more likely to suit you than Mauro Arambarri. However, at 24, he is likely to be among the most expensive players on this list. Getafe, though, are hardly financial titans and might find something in the region of €8-10m too hard to knock back.

Is that a bargain? You might think not. However, if you are a team who is competing for the European spots, or building towards doing so, this is the kind of midfielder your team is going to need eventually. Quality, aggressive, and consistent. What more could you need?

Evander

Add a bit of silk to go alongside Arambarri’s steal with the much more technically smooth and affordable Evander. Evander is likely to cost you something in the region of €4-6m, but we would recommend moving for him ASAP. At 22, he isn’t going to be sticking around in the Danish top flight for long.

Currently a standout for FC Midtjylland, you can expect that the top scouts will pick him soon into the game. In fact, he will probably have bids in the first summer presuming you allow for early moves. Evander, though, is worth the expense – he’s brilliant.

Nicolas De la Cruz

Continuing our South American theme, if you need an attacking midfielder-come-winger, you should look to De La Cruz. The young Uruguayan is now 23 and has been starring for River Plate for some time now. Best move quick, because he’s not going to be staying in South America for long.

De la Cruz is a player long linked with moves in real life and is likely to be away to a new team come the winter update for FM2021. He’s an outstanding talent, with grace on the ball and the physical means to get about the pitch thrown in for good measure.

Eirik Hestad

If you fancy trying to jump on the Scandinavian train and pick yourself an interesting bargain up, look to Eirik Hestad. He’s 25 so he is probably closer to his peak years, but anything from €2-3m would land him from Molde in Norway.

He’s the kind of solid player that you could need in the squad, especially if the games are increased in number with European qualification. Unlikely to ever be a starter for a contender, but capable enough off the bench of making an impact in any top European league.

Renat Dadashov

Every team needs a forward, and you might raise an eyebrow when we suggest a striker from Azerbaijan. However, rest assured that Renat Dadashov is, at 21, a striker worth making an effort to bring in. He might not cost you much – anything from €3-5m should land him – and he would make a very intriguing striker to bring in to the stable.

While he is not particularly an expert at anything, he can more than do a job in numerous forward roles. A versatile all-rounder, you should definitely find that Dadashov makes an interesting addition to your frontline.

So, which of these bargains might you swing for? You could build a decent team with them all, but which do you think would suit your top flight side the most?