Finding value in the transfer market is an increasingly tricky task, but there are bargains to be had if you look in the right places – as Simon Harrison explains...
Good old La Liga. Release clauses are mandatory in Spanish football – Barcelona were punished with Neymar's shock switch to PSG as a result – meaning there are plenty fine deals to be done in Football Manager 2019.
As such, we've managed to pluck out a dozen of the best release clauses you'll be able to find in the game, encompassing ready-made superstars and promising youths in need of polishing. Players from Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina feature – all ready for you to aggravate their clubs by triggering these enticing clauses...
Highly regarded in Spain, 19-year-old Morlanes has come onto the scene at Villarreal over the last year after some serious injury problems.
An excellent central midfielder with good technical stats and strong tackling, he is an excellent prospect as a holding player. His physicals are poor, as can be expected from a young playmaker, but he has plenty of time to develop.
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Pelayo Morilla (£1.7m, Sporting Gijon)
Aged only 16, there is obviously a lot more developing ahead for Morilla. The early signs are excellent, however: his technical stats as an attacking midfielder are very promising, making £1.7m a tiny investment for a player who should improve hugely over the first five years of your save.
Such a small fee is a drop in the ocean for big European clubs.
Javi Ontiveros (£4.9m, Malaga)
Ontiveros may have been expected to progress a little faster than his current rate in the real world, but on Football Manager the 20-year-old is one to keep an eye out for.
He packs a good amount of pace and offers all of the technical attributes needed to be an effective winger. His mental stats leave plenty to be desired, but as a raw talent he’s worth the gamble.
Carlos Fernandez (£7.25m, Deportivo La Coruna)
On loan in the Spanish second division from Sevilla, Fernandez is a young, well-rounded striker. Boasting good finishing stats and decent mental attributes for dropping deep or offering movement at the head of the attack, the Spaniard has a good base for developing into a very useful, versatile striker.
For a little over £7m, the chances of not turning a pretty hefty profit on the current Depor hitman are very slim indeed.
Ever Banega (£18m, Sevilla)
Banega could be an absolute steal for your club. The Argentina international is able to act as a central midfield playmaker or in behind a striker, and has exceptional technical attributes.
The 30-year-old's dribbling, first touch, passing and technique are all at a near world-class level. Mix in excellent vision and composure, and Banega will be able to frustrate your foes with pleasing regularity.
Lucas Romero (£9m, Cruzeiro)
Talented utility man Romero can feature at right-back or in central midfield, making him a great option for teams that have to balance a congested fixture list, or have a limited number of players to name on the bench.
Apart from being poor in the air, the Argentina youth international has tidy physical stats and well-balanced technicals for midfield or full-back duties. His mental stats make him a good ball winner.
Sebastien Corchia (£11.75m, Benfica)
Sevilla loanee Corchia is a player you will need to keep an eye on in the future. Available for just shy of £12m, the wing-back has excellent pace and stamina for bombing up and down the wing, as well as solid defensive technical stats and decent crossing.
Offensive full-backs are key in the modern game, and the Frenchman is a bargain here.
Kostas Manolas (£34m to foreign clubs, Roma)
The Greece international has extremely impressive core defensive stats, as well as exceptional physicals. Manolas boasts highly impressive stamina, natural fitness, strength and pace, and is a defender with few glaring deficiencies.
His passing could do with a little work in a possession-heavy side, but otherwise the Roma man is a must for tightening up Champions League defences.
Marcos Diaz (£1.9m, Huracan)
An experienced goalkeeper at the age of 32, Diaz has well-rounded technical stats and doesn’t have any big mental attribute weaknesses.
On wages of around £2,000 per week at the start of your save, he’s a fantastic budget option for a club in need of a short-term, cheap solution between the sticks.
Matias Vargas (£9.25m, Velez)
For less than £10m, this Argentine winger has got everything you need for a reliable option out on the left-hand side. His dribbling, technique and flair stand out, although his physical attributes do let him down slightly in terms of pace.
All in all, though, Vargas is a tricky, talented wideman with the ability to beat players in one-vs-one situations.
Pedrinho (£7.5m, Corinthians)
Young with great potential, the 20-year-old could be worth a gamble. Pedrinho is armed with good pace and acceleration, as well as dribbling ability that makes him a handful out on the right wing.
The Brazilian also has decent composure and determination – both useful when improving a player. For a big club, the youngster would be a relatively small investment who could come with a large upside.
Sergio Escudero (£13.5m, Sevilla)
Another talented wing-back owned by Sevilla, Escudero is in his prime at the age of 28. His physicals are excellent for offering a constant presence down the left-hand side, while his crossing and dribbling ability are more than adequate to make him influential in the final third.
For an experienced player who is very well rounded, this is another snip.
