While it is always fun managing the best clubs and the top players Football Manager has to offer, the majority of FM22 players enjoy more of a challenge. Now we have covered the best free transfers available in FM22, so this article is looking at the best budget buys, the players that can be signed for relatively cheaply and won't break the bank when it comes to wages.
Now, not all of these players will make the grade at all of the clubs outside the Premier League's top 7, but they certainly have something to offer either in the short term or via their sell-on potential. All of the bargain buys should be able to be signed for under £3m and we have split them up into positions just in case you are only here to find a cheap goalkeeper for example.
Loading up a larger database might be key to finding some of these gems in your FM save, especially any playing in South or Centre America, so bear that in mind if you can't find them in your current game. Now that is said and done, let's check out the bargain buys in FM22 starting with the goalkeepers…
Cheap Goalkeepers
Swedish shot-stopper Tim Ronning was a bit of a hero for many FM21 players and the Elfsborg man has made the FM22 bargain buys list. You can sign 22-year-old Ronning for around £2.2m and he will develop into an excellent Premier League goalkeeper and can be sold on for a major profit. If you have a good training facility and decent coaches, then you won't want to sell Ronning once you have him and he can be your first-choice keeper for years to come.
Phelipe Megiolaro plies his trade at FC Dallas and can be signed for just over £1m. He's only 22-years-old and has plenty of sell-on potential but you might have troubles signing him if a work permit is needed. Magiolaro will bomb up and down the left flank providing excellent crosses into the box, so if that is something your team is lacking, you know what to do.
PSG's Sergio Rico would make for an excellent backup goalkeeper in some of the top Premier League clubs and anyone outside the top 7 would probably consider him a first-team regular. The Spaniard is available for just under £3m but he does have fairly high wages, around £40k per week, but might be willing to drop those demands for regular game time.
Cheap Defenders
Malmo's Anel Ahmedhodzic is a 22-year-old with bags of talent and potential that might already be familiar with you regular FM22 players. You can get your hands on this young centre-back for around £2.5m and he will be worth every penny. In the future, he can be sold on for massive profits if he develops well at your club.
Gabriel Fuentes can be bought for under £500k and the 24-year-old left-back would make a good addition for most squads, whether that be as a first-choice or backup. The Colombian plays for Junior and might only show up if you have a detailed database on and signing him could be an issue if you need a work permit.
Cristiano Piccini is a solid right-back that you can buy from Valencia for around £2.5m and often gets transfer-listed early game. The Italian is 28-years-old and might not have much resale value but he will do a solid job for any mid to lower table side.
Cheap Midfielders
If you are looking for a cheap, ball-winning DM, then look no further than Ivan Sunjic of Birmingham City. At around £1.5m he is a bargain buy and will do a steady job. He's only 24 and can be sold on if needed, but isn't likely to develop much more once you have signed him.
Ryan Gauld was once a wonderkid in FM and now he is 25 and playing for Vancouver but he could be yours for just under £3m. Gauld can operate in CM or AMC and will create goals, so if you are missing some vision in your midfield, he could be just the player you are looking for.
Pione Sisto arrived in FM as a bit of a ‘cheat player' as they are known to the hardcore FM fans who have been playing the series since way back when it was called Championship Manager. The young Dane had pace to burn and could operate on either flank and would score and create goals. After a spell in Spain, Sisto is back in Denmark and you can sign the 26-year-old for a little over £2.5m and he can still play AML/R.
Cheap Forwards
Roberto de la Rosa is a 21-year-old Mexican striker who plays for Pachuca and will cost under £3m. De la Rosa has plenty of potential and can go on to be a leading player in the Premier League if developed correctly but getting a work permit can be tricky until he gets enough international games under his belt.
If you are looking for a false 9 and someone that can operate across the front three then Sheffield Wednesday's Saido Berahino could be your man. At £1.9m, Berahino is a striker by trade but can play AMRC/FC and is still only 27-years-old as crazy as that seems to those who remember him impressing in the Premier League years ago.
Facundo Colidio is a 21-year-old Inter Milan striker that has the potential to be a Premier League regular. Inter often produce good young Italian strikers that don't get a chance to impress for the first team and are usually sold or leave on a free transfer but you can sign this little gem for around £500k and he can be sold on for profit in the future.
That completes our list of the best bargain buys in FM22. Hopefully, you will get some use out of these signings and they will improve your squad and help you achieve your goals. There are plenty more bargain buys out there so make sure you utilise your scouting department to discover those hidden gems.
