To follow up on our review of the best free agents in Football Manager 2022 it’s time to look at the best Football Manager 2022 players on expiring contracts. These players’ contracts will expire within the next 6 months and are eligible to approach to sign at the start of the 2021-2022 season in Football Manager 2022.
Our list of the best Football Manager 2022 players out of contract gives you a unique chance to spot some potential FM22 bargains that will be available on a free transfer when their contract expires.
So, as you might understand there’s no point recommending or highlighting players that only a handful of top level-clubs can afford. Despite superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Ansu Fati or Ousmane Dembele being on an expiring contract at the end of the 2021-2022 season, I want to focus on those players that can either become valuable first-team candidates or backup options for the clubs you are managing.
To limit the number of potential targets, I have decided to showcase just a few players who will be out of contract in the coming 12 months. In fact, I will recommend 10 players that are available to approach to sign immediately at the start of your save (July 2021), and then provide a greater list of great players in Football Manager 2022 with a contract set to expire 30.06.2022.
Although I only want to show off a few dozen players, fear not! I have made the shortlist available for download at the bottom of the post – giving you full access to browse for Football Manager 2022 players on an expiring contract in the 2021-2022 season.
Similar to the unattached players on free transfers you need to move fast to click the approach to sign button immediately when it gets available 6 months prior to the end of the contract. If there’s a player on your radar, you can use the months leading up to the contract end to unsettle him by for instance declaring your interest in the player.
Editor’s Pick
FM22 Approach To Sign Gems | Great Players Available for Free At the Start of 2021-2022 Season
These approach to sign gems in Football Manager 2022 will see their contract end at the end of 31.12.2021. This means that if you’re able to agree on contract terms they will enter your squad at the start of January 2022. Since players are only available on an approach to sign in the latter stages of their contract (last 6 months) it means you’ll see recommendations from a limited number of nations, such as Norway, Sweden, Mexico, Uruguay, USA, Argentina and Brazil.
George Bello / 19 / Atlanta United
The American wonderkid wingback could be a great signing regardless of which team you are managing. With lots of interest and POTENTIAL, it will be a hard-fought fight to secure George Bello.
He’s a suitable attacking wingback to use in both a traditional 4-3-3 formation or a 4-2-3-1. He even got the tackling, concentration, work rate, pace and stamina to be retrained as an attacking wide-center back if you’d like to fit him into a back three system. His quickness, dribbling and crossing make him a valuable asset when the team is entering the final third, offering an attacking threat from overlaps and movements down the left flank.
With a current wage of €2.2K p/w, his wage demands might be around 13-18K p/w. Relative cheap considering his potential!
Passion4FM’s Rating
Brian Ocampo / 22 / Nacional (URU)
In Uruguay, we find Brian Ocampo – a right-winger with the capabilities to unlock the defensive block with his quickness, dribbling and flair. His capabilities with the ball are remarkable considering his reputation. He’s a player I would use in a wide 4-2-3-1 formation on an attacking duty to take advantage of his capabilities to win one-on-one battles. His movements and agility will make him an ideal player for any system using team instruction ‘Run at Defence’.
With good finishing, technique, long shots and passing, Brian Ocampo can also be used as an Inside Forward or attacking midfielder. In possession of the ball, he’s already very good considering his age. What he needs to improve is his Composure and Decisions, as well as his Balance. Putting him on the individual training ‘Final Third’, as well as developing his weaker foot are the two things I would take care of immediately once he’s signed.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Osame Sahraoui / 20 / Vålerenga
The Norwegian wonderkid Osame Sahraoui has been a great revelation in Eliteserien for the past 2 seasons. The versatile attacking player could be a bargain inverted winger ideal for your possession-based system. Brought through at a club that plays 4-3-3, Osame Sahraoui is both able to create chances from wide using his passing, technique and sublime vision to set up others, as well as being able to unlock the opposition with his movements with the ball.
With an agility of 18 (!), dribbling (16!) and flair (18!) he could be the one who helps your striker to score a dozen goals! Just give him the freedom to roam and his through balls and dribbles will be a constant thorn down the left side of the pitch. Perhaps, the player is a tad overrated in FM22 beta. Regardless, here’s a great FM22 bargain from Scandinavia! And the good thing is, he might only require wages at around 10K p/w! Fairly cheap considering his potential.
Areas to Improve: Attacking Movement
Fredrik Bjørkan / 22 / Bodø-Glimt
Another revelation from Norway in the past two seasons is Fredrik Bjørkan. Bodø-Glimt has really made a great impression on pundits and football fans around the globe since they lifted their first Championship title in 2020.
Now you can secure one of the best wingbacks in Norway for free!
Fredrik André Bjørkan is an ideal wingback for your 4-3-3 system. Able to cover the entire left flank with great movements and stamina. Like most Scandinavian players he’s got great twamwork and work rate that enables him to follow tactical instructions. The young wing-back got great mental attributes but might lack some of the technical skills to be considered world-class. Anyway, lots of top clubs are acquiring his interests from day one, so make sure to shortlist the player!
I would see him as an ideal first-team player for top-level French, Dutch and Italian clubs. He could even become a valuable assets for mid-table Premier League clubs or the perfect back-up options for English top clubs as you can use sell him for a great fee later on.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Mauricio Pereyra / 31 / Orlando City
Football Manager isn’t all about wonderkids and Under-23 talents. There are lots of great players with experience that would be valuable assets to your squad. One of these players is Mauricio Pereyra.
The Uruguayan advanced playmaker could be the creative midfielder you need to create chances from deep. Standing out for his vision, teamwork, technique and anticipation he’s able to dictate the tempo of the game and pull the strings in the middle of the pitch. He’s versatile can let you use him as an AP-S the AMC-spot in a 4-2-3-1 formation or the creative midfield outlet in a 4-3-3 system playing in the MCR spot.
His wage demands may be a bit more higher than the previous players we have looked at. But his tactical intelligence and consistency relating to performances will make him into a great signing.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Alejandro Pozuelo / 29 / Toronto FC
Alejandro Pozuelo is a Spanish playmaker who were signed by Toronto for €10Mill from KRC Genk in 2019. The former product of the Real Betis academy debuted in the MLS with scoring 12 goals in 30 appearances. Last year he scored 9 in 23 apps.
Suitable to play as an advanced playmaker in the AMC spot he could be a great candidate for your 3-4-2-1 system. With the creativity required to open up the most narrow defensive blocks his killer balls and passing technique could take your team to the next level.
His ability to make the most correct decisions time and time again will him into a reliant creative outlet. Apart from his great passing abilities, he also got good skills in movements and dribbling – valueable traits for an attacking midfielder. The biggest con is Pozuela’s wage demands – something that might make him a candidate for top-sides only. Expect wages from anywhere between €50-100K per week.
His current wages means there will be less competition to secure his talent. I would recommend him for Spanish mid-table clubs, Championship clubs or German Bundesliga.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Cédric Bakambu / 30 / Beijing
Do you need a profilic goalscorer? Look no further! Cédric Bakambu has entered his latter stages of his career but are still scoring goals. The French-Congoleasan striker has scored 147 goals throughout his career. In the last four seasons he has scored 58 goals in 87 appearances according to Transfermarkt.
The Advanced Forward has great levels of physic considering his age and got the quickness and movements to get into goalscoring positions. Against teams playing with a high defensive line he might be the ideal option.
To improve his chances of scoring goals I would utilize team instructions ‘Play Underlaps’. Despite he got a few weaknesses in front of the goal, especially in regard to Composure and Work Rate, he might be a suitable options for teams that uses a low block and wants to take advantage of space behind the opposition defensive lines. His wage demands might limit the number of suitable clubs as he might demand wages between €60-80K p/w. Regardless, you’ll have a back-up striker for the next two-three seasons.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Ademir / 26 / América-MG
There are a bunch of great attacking midfielders available on an approach to sign on FM22. One of these players is the Brazilian inverted winger Ademir. In difference to most Brazilian wingers, Ademir does not possess the greatest Flair or Technique, but stands out for his Dribbling, Acceleration and Pace.
He got the ability to work the entire right flank due to his good stamina. He could be a candidate to be retrained as a wide midfielder or defensive winger since he got above average tackling and great aggression.
With decent movements, vision and technique he could be a valuable wide playmaker for a 3-4-3 system as well. Due to the standard of his player attributes, Ademir might be a good option for Championship clubs or League One clubs, or clubs finding themselves in nations like Belgium, the Netherlands, France or Portugal.
He will be relatively cheap addition to your squad as he most likely will demand wages below €12K p/w. With ‘weak’ mental attributes compared to his physic, he might be a useful backup option.
Passion4FM’s Rating
Marlos / 33 / Shakhtar
If there’s one thing Shakhtar has been good at in the last years is to track down technical-gifted Brazilian players. One who have been part of the team for the last eight years is Marlos. An original player coming through the Coritiba Academy. He scored a total of 58 goals in 174 appearances for Shakhtar.
The former three-time-winning Footballer of the Year in Ukraine got the unpredictability and technical skills to create spaces for his teams whether it’s done by running with the ball at his feet or through movements that destabilize the opposition’s defensive block.
Simply give him the freedom to roam around the pitch, just like a Trequartista and he will create chances for your team. Due to his age, he’s quickness has declined but with the ball at his feet he will excels.
That means he’s more of a candidate for possession-based systems rather than teams playing on the counter.
Marlos could be a decent option for mid-table clubs that need an experienced winger in their squad to mentor the youngsters. His wage demands at the age of 33 might make you want to look at Agusín Canobbio, but if you can afford a wage demand of €30-50K p/w, then definitely approach to sign him!
Passion4FM Rating
Blaise Matuidi / 34 / Inter Miami
There are few other players with a similar record list. His experience in top football can make Blaise Matuidi the last piece of the puzzle to bring your squad to a Champions contender. He has won 22 titles and awards since 2013. Two times double for Juventus, (2018 and 2019), a triple at Paris PSG (2017) and a remarkable quadruple in 2015 and 2016.
The ball-winning midfielder has outstanding Teamwork, Work rate and Bravery. A tireless midfielder with the ability to hunt for possession and win the ball back cleanly and effectively. He’s able to cover a large amount of ground and will be a great candidate for anyone playing with a high defensive line with high pressing intensity.
The French midfielder has also the mental capabilities to play as a box to box midfielder in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 system or as an outer central midfielder in a 4-3-3 that wish to give your advanced players more attacking freedom.
Despite in his latter stages of his career, as he might only have one or two seasons left in top football, Blaise Matuidi could be the perfect Mentor for your youngsters. His Model Citizens personality is one reason only to sign the player regardless of wage demands.
Passion4FM Rating
FM22 Out of contract Players July 2022
The players who will be out of contract in July 2022 will be available on an approach to sign in January 2022, unless they have signed a new contract. If not, they will be available on a free transfer where you pay no compensation to the owning club.
In no particular order, here are the out of contract players on Football Manager 2022 we recommend to sign.
| AGE | NAME | POSITION | CLUB | CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Boubacar Kamara | DC/DM | Marseille | €51K p/w |
| 25 | Andreas Christensen | DC (DM/MC) | Chelsea | €94K p/w |
| 28 | Antonio Rüdiger | DRC | Chelsea | €115K p/w |
| 24 | Franck Kessiè | DM/MC | A.C. Milan | €78K p/w |
| 30 | Andrej Kramaric | M/AML/ST | Hoffenheim | €58K p/w |
| 27 | Andrea Belotti | ST | Torino | €71K p/w |
| 28 | James Tarkowski | DC | Burnley | €82K p/w |
| 32 | Axel Witsel | DM/MC | Bor. Dortmund | €145K p/w |
| 32 | Felipe | DC | At. Madrid | €87K p/w |
| 28 | Jesús Corona | AMRL | Porto | €35.5K p/w |
| 32 | David Ospina | GK | Napoli | €50K p/w |
| 29 | Atalanta | DM/MC | Atalanta | €28.5K p/w |
| 26 | Adnan Januzaj | M/AMRL | Real Sociedad | €85K p/w |
| 24 | Luiz Felipe | DC | Lazio | €28.5K p/w |
| 27 | Mathias Ginter | DRC | Bor. Mönchengladbach | €60K p/w |
| 26 | Chancel Mbemba | DRC | Porto | €23K p/w |
| 27 | Hans Hateboer | D/WB/MR | Atalanta | €28.5K p/w |
| 31 | Teemu Pukki | ST | Norwich | €21K p/w |
| 25 | Niklas Süle | DRC | Bayern München | €58K p/w |
| 24 | Jeremie Boga | AMLC | Sassuolo | €17.5K p/w |
| 28 | Serge Aurier | D/WBR | Villarreal | €28.5K p/w |
| 27 | Federico Bernardeschi | WB/M/AMRL | Juventus | €140K p/w |
| 26 | Niklas Stark | DC/DM | Hertha Berlin | €38.5K p/w |
| 32 | Domagoj Vida | DC | Besiktas | €75K p/w |
| 28 | Magomed Ozdoev | DM/MC | Zenit | €38.5K p/w |
| 28 | Mattia Perin | GK | Juventus | €82K p/w |
| 32 | Leonardo Pavoletti | ST | Cagliari | €50K p/w |
| 26 | Corentin Tolisso | DM/MC/AMC | Bayern München | €135K p/w |
| 24 | Riechedly Bazoer | DC/DM/MC | Vitesse | €5.25K p/w |
| 31 | Giacomo Bonaventura | M/AMC (AML) | Fiorentina | €53K p/w |
| 26 | Thomas Strakosha | GK | Lazio | €42.5K p/w |
| 23 | Eray Cömert | DC | Basel | €13.25K p/w |
| 27 | Haris Hajradinovic | M/AMC | Kasimpasa | €6.25K p/w |
| 30 | Jeroen Zoet | GK | Spezia | €29K p/w |
| 34 | Stefan Radu | DLC | Lazio | €50K p/w |
| 30 | Abel Hernández | ST | Fluminense | €20.5K p/w |
| 26 | Kortney Hause | DLC | Aston Villa | €29K p/w |
Download Shortlist of Out of Contract Players in FM22
Import our shortlist of the best FM22 out of contract players and find suitable players to approach to sign at the end of the 2021 or the 2022 season. By downloading the shortlist you’ll find 200+ great players on expiring contracts that could help your club’s ambitions for greater success.
Download Instructions
1. Import the file to:
- Windows:
This Computer/Your Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2022 > Shortlist - MAC*:
Users/YOUR Mac USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2022 > Shortlist
NB! This folder is hidden by default. Please follow these instructions to locate your Football Manager 2022 Documents*.
2. Restart/Open Football Manager 2022
3. Locate Scouting in sidebar menu
4. Select Shortlist
4. Click Wrench icon in the shortlists menu on the right side of the screen – Select Load shortlist
5. Select the preferred shortlist – Click Load
6. Enjoy the player shortlist!
