FM21: All the best contract expiry signings - Messi, Alaba, Donnarumma & more


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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.

Lionel Messi's stats in Football Manager 2021
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The little master is an expensive player to sign, but would surely be worth every penny

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.

David Alaba's stats in Football Manager 2021
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David Alaba is comfortable anywhere on the left

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.

Gianluigi Donnarumma's stats in Football Manager 2021
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Safe hands at the back can be the difference when it comes to winning trophies

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.

Georginio Wijnaldum's stats in Football Manager 2021
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Wijnaldum is a quiet but effective player in a lot of roles

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.

Dayot Upamecano's stats in Football Manager 2021
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Upamecano can solve a lot of problems at the back

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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