Football Manager 2023 Bargains: Best Players Under €10Mill

Find the best bargains in Football Manager 2023 under the value of €15Million, as we look at some of the best cheap players on FM23. Get our shortlist of the best Football Manager 2023 bargains and import it into your next FM23 save.

One of the favorite things to do in Football Manager is making bargain signings. Whether it is using my extensive scouting network to identify cheap Football Manager 2023 Wonderkids hidden in the corner of a the world, or track down the best players available at a low cost, it’s something special when you do find those bargain players who can either immediately improve your squad, or has the potential to become a world class player in the future.

I can spend hours simply scouring through the world after those players of great abilities that outperforms their transfer value to identify the best bargain signings in Football Manager.

With the simple idea of paying less than their quality demands and increase the squad quality at a minimal cost, making bargain signings should be part of any club’s transfer policy regardless of its playing level and what’s affordable to you.

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Being smarter than your opponent when making transfers has become a way to guide your team to success. It’s a strategy more and more clubs is forced to do, due to the difficult financial situation the club finds themselves in. Also, not every club has the luxury of having a sugar daddy owner or a consortium behind them, such as Newcastle and PSG, that lets them invest hundreds of millions each year on new players, or on one of the best players in Football Manager.

Whether you are forced to bolster your squad by prioritizing looking for cheap players as your got a minimal transfer budget to work with, or you look to incorporate it as a recruitment strategy, it’s nothing more pleasing to see a player’s transfer value increasing and you know you can sell the player for profit down the line. The strategy of buying low and sell high is a strategy I know many fans of the Football Manager series abide by. The fact that you can buy multiple players with similar or greater abilities (current or potential) that surpass your players for the price of one great player in FM23, makes digging deep after the best bargains on FM23 a no-brainer.

When it comes to finding the best Football Manager 2023 bargains, it requires some work to spot them. You may need to set up a scouting assignment or use an extensive scouting network which covers all the corners of the world. On the way, you might need to browse through hundreds of players to find a bargain signing.

If that sounds too hard of work and you’re too eager to get success on the pitch, we have done most of the job for you!

About the FM23 Bargains List by Passion4FM.com

In this guide, I have compiled a list of 23 players I consider the best Football Manager 2023 bargains. To keep the options reasonable, I’ve applied a limit of €10Million which will give you a number of options to identify players who can play at the highest level of football, either via their potential rating or immediately.

Alongside Passion4FM’s list of the best players under €10million in Football Manager 2023, we have included a shortlist of the best Football Manager 2023 bargains, which you can download below.

Worth to know!

You will also be able to identify more cheap signings in FM23 in the table below, as well as we will profile more hidden gems and cheap bargains in FM23 in the weeks ahead – making Passion4FM one of the ultimate sources for the best Football Manager 2023 bargains!

NB! With some negotiation and tricks you may be able to negotiate the price of these FM23 bargains way cheaper than the initial transfer value. The cost of signing these cheap players may also vary from save to save according to how their club valuates their quality relating to their performances and importance to the team.

Some of these bargain signings is also on an outgoing contract, meaning you’ll be able to get them on an approach to sign if you wait until January 2023, meaning you can sign the players on a free transfer.

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The best bargains to sign on Football Manager 2023: 23 Players Under €10Mill

FM23 Goalkeeper Bargains

Altay Bayindir / 24 / Fenerbahce

Goalkeepers often gets better and better with more and more experience. Altay Bayindir is one prospect you can sign for a cheap price which can turn into a player of international caliber. The Turkish sweeper keeper has all you need in a goalkeeper at a club playing out from the back. Decent first touch, passing and composure as well as great reflexes and one-on-one capabilities, you can play with a high defensive line without too much worry.

His current abilities both in terms of leadership, aerial reach and handling makes him into an immediate first team candidate. The 198 cm tall goalkeeper is on an outgoing contract and could let you make an even better deal than the close to €10Million transfer value he has at the start of the save.

At such a bargain price, Altay Bayindir could be a long-term signing you can make for the next 10 years in mind, or look at him as a player to sell for profit after you’ve managed to max out his abilities. He has room for development and unfulfilled potential!

Carlos Acevedo / 26 / Santos Laguna

If you find €10Million for a goalkeeper a bit too much, then there are a number of viable options for around the half the price.O One of these cheap hidden gems is Carlos Acevedo at Santos Laguna. With approximately similar abilities as Altay Bayindir, the two year old Mexican goalkeeper could be a decent signing.

Standing out for his shot stopping abilities, the young sweeper keeper has the reflexes and bravery required at middle table clubs and below where it’s most likely to be put under pressure by the opponent either due to be playing with a low block or facing superior opponents at a regular basis.

Carlos Acevedo could be a great cup goalkeeper or a backup option for bigger teams. At a price between €550K and 5Mill what are you waiting for?!

Other GK Bargains in FM23

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FM23 Centre-back Bargains

Leonardo Balerdi / 23 / Marseille

Borussia Dortmund was quick to secure one of the emerging talents in Argentina after Balerdi received his debut at Boca Juniors in 2019. After only 450 minutes of play, the defender was bought for €15.5Million at the age of 18. Five years after, the composed defender has moved from heart of German industry soil to the French Mediterranean cost. At Marseille, he has secured regular first team football and established himself among the top 20 defenders in Ligue 1.

Standing out for his positioning, composure and anticipation he’s an intelligent ball playing defender who is as good as on the ground as in the air. Leonardo Balerdi, who have 2 caps for the Argentinian national team, could be a great threat on attacking corners.

For the bargain price of €8 to €11Million you can improve your squad with title ambitions. The signing of Leonardo Balerdi will be a great prospect for any clubs Premier League clubs chasing behind Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.

César Montes / 25 / Monterrey

For the third year or so, César Montes makes it into our FM23 bargain list. At 191cm tall, his aerial abilities and positioning can be valuable traits for any sides. Even though he may lack the strength to man-mark players effectively in the top leagues, he could be a great option for any teams chasing for a top 10 position.

Available for €1-8Million with wage demands of €30-44K per week, he might be a great ball-playing defender in the Spanish, Portuguese or French league.

PS. César Montes is not the only cheap centre-back to consider signing on FM23 at Monterrey. Both Stefan Medina and Luis Romo could be quality signings who can provide depth to your defensive unit.

Alexander Djiku / 27 / Strasbourg

If you need experience in your club and want a playe with decent pace, then Ghanaian defender Aleksander Djiku could be a great prospect. A player who can be used as a wide centre back in a 3-4-3 formation, or as a central defender with the task of stopping the opposing threat quickly and efficiently by closing down or marking the player. His aggression, bravery and work rate gives you three reasons to sign Djiku.

His contract will be ending 30/06/2023 – meaning there’s a chance to get the player cheaper than his current value of €300K to €6Million.

Alessandro Buongiorno / 23 / Torino

If you’re looking for a central defender which you can sell for profit three to five years ahead, then there are a number of few Italian defenders to look at. One of these players is Alessandro Buongiorno. Born in Turin, the 23 year old left-footed defender has experience from the Italian youth national teams with 27 overall matches for the Under21, U20, U19 and U18.

Standing out for his positioning, determination and positive personality, the player can become a valuable player for your team. He got overall great skills in defending and aerial skills. He even got unfulfilled potential and could reach international standard if you manage to further his development by gaining experience at a higher level.

The central defender is available for around €5-7Million which is fairly cheap considering his potential.

… more centre-back bargains in FM23

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FM23 Fullback Bargains

Yokhym Konoplia / 22 / Shakhtar

Position: D/WBRL

Shakhtar is one of the leading clubs in Eastern Europe when it comes to youth development. One of the most recent players to break through on the international stage for Shakhtar Donetsk is the attacking fullback Yukhym Konoplia. Loaned out to Desna before making his official debut for Shaktar in the Ukrainian Premier League in 2021, the fullback has been used on both right and left flank.

A player who is able to both offer width and provide those necessary overlaps, his abilities to both attack and defend fits the requirements of the modern fullback. With the quickness and stamina, work rate and crossing, he brings an attacking threat by making those deep runs behind the opposition’s defensive lines.

By signing him for €8-10Million you’ll get a player who can both make assists from wide positions and which you can sell for profit 8 years into the future.

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €9Mill.

Abner Vinicius / 22 / At. Paranaense

Position: DL (WBL)

Since the first Brazilian wingbacks stole the spotlight in the 1958 and 1962 World Cup, when Nilson Santos revolutionized the fullback role into a more attacking one, teams across Europe has tried to identify the archetype of an Brazilian wingback. While there are several Brazilian wingbacks who deserves a mention, my eyes is set on Abner Vinicius.

Featuring great acceleration and pace, stamina, dribbling and crossing, the 22 year old complete wingback ticks of most of the boxes for what you look for in an attacking Brazilian fullback.

Wanted by Man Utd and Tottenham at the start of the save signals both his current abilities and potential. For a maximum transfer cost of €9million, it’s a huge chance to sell the player for triple the value a few years into the future.

A must-buy in FM23?! I believe so…

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €9Mill.

Byron Castillo / 23 / León

Position: D/WBR (M/AMR)

Byron Castillo is another bargain in Mexico that you can sign and sell for profit. Able to play in any position down the right flank, the versatility and extra cover as winger makes Byron Castillo a great bargain in FM23.

At the cheap price of around €4.5-5.5Million, Castillo’s abilities in one-on-one situations and get to the byline to deliver accurate crosses makes him into a useful signing for any top sides. Not to mention his great stamina and quickness to make short bursts of sprints both in attacking and defensive transition.

He’s able to clear the ball from danger by making accurate tackles as well. At the age of 23, he’s got lots of unfilled potential that can further increase his value in the future.

Youcef Atal / 26 / OGC Nice

Position: D/WBR (M/AMR)

The Algerian wingback, Youcef Atal, has been on my personal transfer target list for the past two versions of Football Manager. The versatile wide player stands out for his work rate, quickness and dribbling abilities. Able to take on opponents by driving forward with the ball and get to the byline to lay in crosses, Atal got the abilities to bring an extra attacking threat in the final third.

Even though his defensive capabilities might come into scrutiny when tasked to man-mark the opposition winger as he’s at the wrong place at the wrong time, his attacking threat outweighs his weaknesses.

Personally, I would use him in a 3-4-3 mid-block system where he’s playing as an attacking wingback or complete wingback. He has the stamina and work rate to cover the entire flank.

The only con, is that he’s injury fragile and might pick up a few cards as he has a competitive streak.

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €7-9Mill.

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More FM23 Fullback Bargains

FM23 Bargains – Cheap Central Midfielders & Attacking Midfielders

Simone Bastoni / 25 / Spezia

Sometimes a bargain player could be a versatile player who can play in a number of position and ensure you have great quality if you happen to go through an injury crisis. Simone Bastoni is that player. He can be used if required as defensive winger or complete wingback in a 3-4-3 system or be used in his natural position and role as a box to box midfielder. You can even use him as a Mezzala in a 4-3-3 system or a ball winning midfielder in a 4-4-2.

If you look closer at his abilities, Simone Bastoni shares some of many similar qualities as world-class midfielder Nicolò Barella and could be regarded as his cheaper options.

With 14 in off the ball, 14 in work rate, 15 in tackling and 14 in decision, Simone Bastoni is a tireless midfielder who easily can put pressure on the opposing player’s as well as becoming an attacking threat in the next instance. His all-round capabilities and the chance to swoop the player up for less than €8Million makes him a bargain signing in FM23.

Appr. Transfer Cost: > €8Mill.

Mohammed Diomandé / 20 / FC Nordsjælland

One of my favorite bargains for FM22 returns for FM23. FC Nordsjælland’s connections with the Right to Dream Academy has really bear fruits. Versatile midfielder Mohammed Diomandé is one of the many talents in the Danish team. Use him in the Mezzala role to replicate Gravenberch’s role in Erik Ten Hag’s Ajax tactics, or put him behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Anyway, the bal control, technique, passing and capabilities to drive with the ball as well as making those neccessary killer balls makes Mohammed Diomandé a great prospect for the future.

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €2Mill.
Minimum Fee Release Clause: €4.1M

Manolo Portanova / 22 / Genoa

Using the central midfielder on attack duty was one of the trends in FM22. Having a player making deep runs into attacking positions and behind the opposition’s defensive line is an attacking strategy that may give results. Having a player with great off the ball movement, work rate and pace is all favorable traits hen it comes to midfielders tasked at penetrating the opposition off the ball.

The 22 year old Italian midfielder Monolo Portanova has the all-round capabilities to play decent in the CM-A role. He could even be used as an advanced playmaker if you’re favoring a possession-oriented system where through balls feeding your forwards is one of your primary strategies.

Portanova could be a terrific signing for the future since he can develop even further.

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €600K-7.5Mill.

Toma Basic / 25 / Lazio

Any teams need a team player. One who will follow your tactical instructions and who can be smart in their positioning and read the play. Toma Basic is a Croatian midfielder who broke through at Hajduk Split. The box to box midfielder can be used in a number of positions if you need a backup option. He is even a huge threat from set-pieces, something that may result in a few goals per season from direct free-kicks.

Appr. Transfer Cost: ~ €2.5Mill.

Luka Ivanusec / 23 / Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb is renown for their youth Academy. For years they have produced technical gifted playmakers who can play at the highest level of football. Luka Ivanusec is one midfielder to consider. Available to play as either Mezzala Advanced Playmaker or Shadow Striker, his Acceleration, dribbling and off the ball movement coupled with his tendency to move into channels could make him into an attacking threat who can both score and create chances with his deep runs.

His versatility makes him a candidate to be used on both flanks, either as an Inverted Winger who cuts inside from the left, or an Advanced Playmaker tasked to make through balls and crosses from the right flank.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €325K-7.5M

Hugo Vetlesen / 22 / Bodø/Glimt

If you’re looking for a playmaker who can retain possession, create chances and move constantly to offer passing alternatives and be that press-resistant midfielder any top-sides needs these days, then check out Hugo Vetlesen in FM23. Composed on the ball, top end teamwork as well as great concentration means you’ll get a playmaker who is likely to make little to few mistakes in possession of the ball.

His ball control and creativity with the ball is highly desirable if you’re playing with a Tiki-Taka style of play.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €4-6M
*On an outgoing contract so you could get the player cheaper

Andreas Schjelderup / 18 / FC Nordsjælland

When talking about the top Football Manager 2023 bargains we can’t overlook the amazing cheap price tag of Andreas Schjelderup. The new Norwegian wonderkid has the potential to reach Martin Ødegaard’s abilities and could be the next Norwegian attacking midfielder to follow in the footsteps of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Moi Elyounoussi and Joshua King.

With 16 in dribbling, 15 in flair, 15 in ball control and vision, Andreas Schjelderup must be one of the most overpowered players in Football Manager 2023. Especially when you can get a world-class potential player for the bargain price of €6-7Million.

Able to be used as Inverted Winger, wide Advanced Playmaker or as an out-and-out Advanced Forward in a front-three tactic, he got everything required to both create chances, cause chaos in the opposition’s defensive block by his off the ball movement and creativity as well as being on the finishing end of chances.

Definitely a must buy!

Filip Bundgaard / 18 / Randers FC

Keeping to the Scandinavian theme, and your unable to break the bank to sign the Norwegian wonderkid, what about a Danish up-and-coming talent. Filip Bundgaard received his debut in the Danish Superligaen at the age of 16 (2 months and 29 days). The left-footed winger has represented the Danish Under-16, U18 and Under-19 team at twenty occasions.

In FM23, Filip Bundgaard is a player who can fill the role of advanced playmaker in the AMC position, as a second forward (SS-A) or be used as a False 9 up front in a 4-3-3 formation. Personally, I would use him as an Inside Forward where you can utilize his off the ball, flair, acceleration and pace by letting a player behind make threaded through balls in between the channels for him to run onto.

Available for between €400K and 4Million, the emerging youngster could reach Premier League standard if you happen to nurture his talent in the most effective manner.

Sofiane Boufal / 28 / Angers SCO

In need of a more experienced player who can open up and break through the opposition lines with dribbling and flair, then look no further than to Sofiane Boufal. His excellent technique, coupled with vision and agility gives you a player who can retain possession of the ball in small pocket of spaces whilst also making those wonderful key passes and assists.

The Moroccan Trequartista has been in three of the top five European leagues. Could the next move for him once his contract runs out be to head to Italy to feed the ball that makes your striker bcoming the topscorer of Serie A?!

Appr. Transfer Cost: €1-5M
*On an outgoing contract so you could get the player cheaper

Kiril Despodov / 25 / Ludogorets

If you happen to get Kiril Despodov for less than €3Million, the Bulgarian winger can be a wonderful signing – especially if you are managing in the Championship, Ligue 1 or Eredivisie. Simply look at his perfectionist personality, quickness and free-kick taking. Include determination of 16, flair at 16 and decent crossing and finishing and you’ll be able to add depth to your squad with a player who can both assist, score goals and bring that extra creativity up front to cause chaos.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €300K-8M

More FM23 Bargains: Midfielders & Wingers

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FM23 Bargains: Forwards / Strikers

Datro Fofana / 19 / Molde

Another wonderkid found in Scandinavia which we NEED to mention when it comes to cheap bargains in FM23. Datro Fofana came to Norway ahead of 20212 season from Ivorian Ligue 1 club Abidjan. A player with wonder-class potential and the physicality to play at the highest level of football.

The Ivorian centre-forward has really broke through at Molde this season. 15 goals in 24 appearances, and some wonderful performances has made Datro Fofana one of my favorite players in Eliteserien.

In FM23, he still has aspects of his game he needs to improve, but with his natural fitness, strength and Determination he could develop into a player that could become a leading player in the Premier League.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €5-8M

Ezequiel Ponce / 25 / Elche

Ezequiel Ponce is a former Argentinian Wonderkid who came through the Newells academy. He soon after went to AS Roma but got loaned out to further his development and really never got the chance to play first team football at I Giallorossi.

In the following years he has tried to revive his career by playing in the Russian premier division but now finds himself at Elche.

The pressing forward’s primary skills is his acceleration and finishing. For a club in the lower end of the table or who finds themselves outside the top 3 leagues in their league, Ezequiel Ponce might be a superb signing.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €1-2.5M

Enner Valencia / 32 / Fenerbahce

Even though his career in Premier League didn’t really took off, despite scoring 11 goals for West Ham and Everton, Enner Valencia showcased what he’s made of in the first World Cup 2022 match by scoring two goals against Qatar.

For Fenerbahce, he has scored 13 goals in 12 matches this season. By signing Enner Valencia in FM23 you’ll get a hard working and determined pressing forward. Brilliant for any gegenpressing tactics, but can be used as a complete forward in a 4-2-3-1 system or as an Advanced Forward alongside a deep-lying forward.

Unpredictable, fairly fast over longer distances and great at penalties. What more do you want from an experienced striker who can lead the line?

Appr. Transfer Cost: €2-3.5M
*On an outgoing contract so you could get the player cheaper

Mateo Retegui / 23 / Tigre

If you rather want to improve your squad with a much younger player able to adopt the pressing forward role, then Mateo Retegui could be the one to buy. Able to develop into a decent Premier League player, the forward brings Strength and physic into his game.

The 185 cm tall target forward has top class teamwork, great work rate and aggression meaning you can use him to hunt tirelessly for possession or let him roam around opening space for quick one-two’s and deep third man runs.

Appr. Transfer Cost: €6-8M
*On an outgoing contract so you could get the player cheaper

other striker bargains in FM23

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There you have our recommendations of Football Manager 2023 bargains. With 23 players to pick from, more cheap signings available both in the table and the shortlist, you should have everything you need to improve your squad depth with a couple of FM23 bargains.

Why not puzzle together a full squad of FM23 bargains by signing all of these Football Manager 2023 bargains for your team?!

Have you made any great bargain signings on Football Manager 2023? Let us know which cheap players you have come across and who you would like to recommend and label as the best bargain on FM23!