The Football Manager 2021 beta is out now, and gamers everywhere are diving into their first save.
While transfer budgets are slim in your first year, if you survive the season there are plenty of possibilities. These including signing players for free when their contract ends.
There are some sensational players that could be available at the end of the 20/21 season. Let's take a look at the best.
Lionel Messi
When we say the best, we mean the best. It's tough to imagine Messi ever leaving Barcelona, but if you've got the money you might be able to make it happen.
Currently on a ridiculous £1.2m per week, he won't be cheap. He's also going to be 34 when his current deal expires. But it's Messi! If you've got the cash you should make a bid.
David Alaba
Much like Messi, Alaba is a world-class player that it's hard to imagine ever leaving his club.
The Bayern man is a do-it-all player that can line up at left back, centreback, and centre mid. At 28 he's in his prime and will still be under 30 when you can get him for free.
Currently on £175k per week he's more reasonably priced than Messi (not hard) but will almost certainly want a hefty increase on that if Bayern don't extend him.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Italian goalkeeper has been around for years now but is still only 21.
On £195k a week he is one of the best-paid keepers around, but his age and amazing talent make him a perfect signing if you can get him.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Liverpool's congested midfield might be to your benefit as the arrival of Thiago could easily see Wijnaldum allowed to leave.
The Dutch midfielder is a creative maestro that can get the job done off the ball too. He will be 30 when his current deal expires, but with a manageable £85k per week salary at the moment he is one that plenty of clubs will have their eye on.
Dayot Upamecano
A young player on the verge of superstardom, Dayot Upamecano has been a favourite signing among FM players for a while.
Now in the final year of his £42k a week deal at RB Leipzig, he seems set to be on the move.
If you need a centreback, and even if you don't, Upamecano is an excellent signing to make and one that could be a massive investment for the future.
Other quality players on expiring contracts
Name | Current Club | Position | Age | Current Wage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Angel Di Maria | PSG | M (LC), AM (LC) | 32 | £235k |
Memphis Depay | OL | AM (LC), ST | 26 | £88k |
Florian Thauvin | OM | AM (RLC) | 27 | £89k |
Max Meyer | Crystal Palace | M (LC), AM (C) | 24 | £125k |
Jesse Lingard | Man Utd | M (RL), AM (RLC) | 27 | £75k |
Hakan Calhanoglu | AC Milan | M/AM (LC) | 26 | £81k |
Julian Draxler | PSG | M/AM (RLC) | 26 | £125k |
Arkadiusz Milik | Napoli | ST | 26 | £81k |
Matthias Ginter | Borrusia M'gladbach | D (RC) | 26 | £125k |
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