Football Manager 2024 Cheap Hidden Gems Across the World

If there’s one thing that’s certain, our search for cheap hidden gems in Football Manager 2024 never stops! The game is literally loaded with LOTS of cheap signings with high potential at a rather decent price! Something that makes scouting for these hidden gems on FM24 rather enjoyable.

Although we have looked at the best Football Manager 2024 bargains under €12m in the past, I believe I have failed to give each player the attention they deserve. That’s something I like change today!

Welcome to the ultimate place to find the best cheap hidden gems across the world on Football Manager 2024!

In our search for Football Manager 2024 cheap hidden gems we have manually scouted the entire world for those cheap players with lower reputation compared to their current abilities, so you can improve your squad with either experienced players with the skills to play at top level football, or identify breakthrough players who can still progress into a potential first team starter for one of the top 10 leagues in Europe.

When I have been working on the list of FM24 cheap hidden gems, there are certain criterias I’ve used to limit the number of players.

• Firstly, these players must have a significant lower reputation than the best wonderkids or bargains – meaning they are probably not as well-known to you.
• Secondly, their current ability must be of significant levels so they can be a useful signings regardless of playing level.
• Finally, their transfer value or approximately asking price must be around or less than €2Million in order to be classified as a cheap bargain.

This means that you can forget to find players from any of the top 5 leagues as most of these players will cost 10x more!

Our aim is that you will be able to find great players at a rather cheap price that could become a useful signing regardless of you are managing in the Dutch top division, English lower leagues or in one of the minor European nations. Let us put it like this, you shouldn’t need to break the bank when signing any of these Football Manager 2024 hidden gems!

To help you identify the best hidden gems on Football Manager 2024, we have added all the cheap bargains and hidden gems into one shortlist, which is available to download below. By importing the shortlist you will find over 600 players across the world who can become a useful asset for any top teams of the top 12 nations worldwide.

However, if you’re fortunate enough to manage in a club with a rather high starting transfer budget we have several other player recommendations and guides of players to sign that could be useful as well. To assist you, here’s a quick list of some of the other list of Football Manager 2024 players to sign that could come in handy in search for bargains and potential world-class players.

• Football Manager 2024 Hidden Wonderkids
• Cheap Wonderkids Bargains in Football Manager 2024
• Football Manager 2024 Wonderkids & Talents [incl. downloadable shortlist]
• Football Manager 2024 Best Cheap Bargain Players [incl. downloadable shortlist]

Without further ado, let us present the Football Manager 2024 cheap hidden gems by Passion4FM.com! Your source to find the best cheap gems on FM24!

12 Cheap Hidden Gems in Football Manager 2024

Alejandro Zendejas / 25 / Club America

In our search for FM24 bargains, former Castilla graduate Alvaro Fidalgo – a creative midfielder playing at Club America was spotted as one of the greatest bargains on FM24. However, another teammate of his, Alejandro Zendejas could fit the bill as well!

Alejandro Zendejas is an American central midfielder who can also play as a wide midfielder or as an inverted winger. His versatility makes him a useful signing for a number of formations and tactical shapes.

Personally, I would use him as a Mezzala or attacking central midfielder in a 3-5-2 system where you take advantage of his off the ball movement. However, you can also take advantage of his brilliant vision, decision-making, passing and dribbling to use him as a playmaker in a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 system as his skills is similar to Barcelona’s Pedri or Man City’s Phil Foden.

For under €50K, you’ll be able to get a technical gifted player who is highly versatile and got average consistency. Overall, a decent signing for mid-table clubs in Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and France.

Transfer Value: €12-40K

Current Ability: 133

Saldanha / 23 / Partizan Belgrade

Saldanha is one of those ‘unknown’ Brazilian players that tries to get their breakhtrough in international football by tries his luck in one of the Eastern European countries. Matheus Saldanha is a newly signing at Partizan Belgrade this season. The Advanced Forward came from Azerbajian Premyer Liqa club Neftchi Baku for €1.3Million.

So far this season, the Brazilian striker has scored 14 goals in 18 appearances – making him the leading top goalscorer in Mozzart Super liga Srbije ahead of Serbian wonderkid Milos Lukovic (18).

In FM24, Matheus Saldanha has a well-rounded player profile. His best abilities is dribbling, technique, anticipation and strength as these attributes are rated 14 out of 20. His 13 in Finishing, Acceleration, Off the ball, Vision and Heading makes him into a striker who can both create chances and score goals, something that’s ideal if you’re playing with a lone-striker, such as a Deep-Lying Forward, Complete Forward or Advanced Forward.

Hidden Attributes: Consistency

Transfer Value: €375K-1Mill

Current Ability: 130

Juan Escobar / 27 / Cruz Azul

If you’re managing a mid-table club like Rio Ave in Portugal, Mexican defender Juan Escobar could be the ideal signing. A centre back who can play as either a ball-playing defender or defending libero in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system, or as a wide-centre-back in a back three formation.

His versatility makes him able to play as an inverted fullback who can defend in a back three formation in possession whilst defending the flank in a back four system out of possession.

Standing out for his positioning (16), anticipation (15), team work (15) and concentration (14), you’ll be able to sign a tactical intelligent player who takes the art of defence one step further by being at the right place at the right time and intercept passes and block shots.

Transfer Value: €35K-100K

Current Ability: 132

Ulrik Saltnes / 30 / Bodø/Glimt

Ulrik Saltnes lacks the reputation of Patrick Berg but got the mental abilities to become a useful option for English Championship sides or League One clubs who are hunting for promotion.

At an asking price of around €1.8Million, Ulrik Saltnes is a highly versatile midfielder who can play in a number of roles and positions, just like Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes.

Like Aursnes, Saltnes got great teamwork, determination and work rate and will go the extra mile to cover spaces for his teammates by offering passing options and roam around the pitch in both defensive and attacking situations.

Ulrik Saltnes stands out for his off the ball movement and decision-making – all useful skills for central midfielders who shall make penetrating runs into the penalty box. His personality of Perfectionist makes him a wonderful role model as his leadership, ambitions and professionalism are everything you desire in squad players. You can use him either as a box to box midfielder in a 4-3-3 system, ball-winning midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system or as a central midfielder.

His abilities in possession is probably one of his smaller weaknesses as his first touch, dribbling and technique is only average – something that might hinder the player when facing teams who counter-press high up the pitch.

Regardlessly, his mental abilities might outweight some of his cons and he could easily be the perfect signing for anyone doing a youth development save where you need to mentor your youngsters and improve their Determination and gain a positive personality.

For Bodø/Glimt, Ulrik Saltnes has been an important player both in the Eliteserien and the Conference League / Europa League. This has resulted in 79 assists and 78 goals scored over 333 appearances helping the club to win 3 Championships in four years.

Transfer Value: €850K-2Mill

Current Ability: 126

Martin Ádám / 28 / Ulsan

Martin Ádám is the ideal Target Forward if you prefer to use that role! Standing at 191cm tall with a weight of 91kg, the Hungarian forward playing in South Korea is an absolute tank!

Although he lacks the quickness, his physical strength, jumping reach and heading makes him into a wonderful player in aerial situations, such as attacking corners or early crosses into the box.

Martin Àdàm likes to use his physical advantage to score goals, whether it being making powerful shots from long ranges or use his bravery and strength to beat his marker in the air. He is even a penalty taker specialist where his composure and concentration can help him to bag a few goals from penalties.

Last season, he scored 16 goals for Ulsan and have continued his fine performances with 5 goals in 5 appearances in the AFC Champions League 2023-24. Throughout his entire career, he has scored 93 goals in 286 appearances and became top goalscorer in Hungarian NB I in 2021/22 season for Vasas FC before being sold to South Korea.

Martin Àdàm could be the ideal signing for any lower league clubs or clubs fighting to avoid relegation in one of the competitions outside the top 5 European leagues.

Junior Hernandez / 24 / Deportes Tolima

If you haven’t got the picture by now, then adding Mexico and Colombia as playable leagues for your next save is a must! In these nations, you’ll be able to find a number of hidden gems and cheap bargains at a very fair price!

One of these hidden gems is Junior Hernandez at Deportes Tolima. The 24-year-old Colombian fullback is currently on an outgoing contract (31.12.2023) meaning you’ll be able to get the player for free at the end of the contract. He’s wanted by Bologna and Torino at the start of a new save, something that gives a great picture of his abilities and suitable playing level.

Junior Hernandez is natural in all positions down the left flank and could easily play as either an attacking fullback in a 4-3-3 system or a complete wingback in a 3-5-2 system. If you need a back-up option for the number choice winger, then Junior Hernandez could easily be a prime option as one to stretch the width and provide crosses from the flank – something you’d like if you’re incorporating Pep Guardiola’s Man City 3-2-4-1 tactics on FM24.

Junior Hernandez got a well-rounded player profile but stands out for his quickness, crossing, stamina and work rate! His ball control and abilities in possession isn’t bad either – something you desire to create chances from the flank, or retain possession when building out from the back down the flanks.

Transfer Value: €160K-500K

Current Ability: 129

Joaquín Esquivel / 25 / Mazatlàn

Want to win possession in the middle of the park and deny the opposition obvious counter-attacks? Then you might enjoy the work rate, teamwork, determination and stamina of Mexican defensive midfielder Joaquín Esquivel. The 175cm tall defensive midfielder is also a natural as a central defender was signed by Mazatlàn from Nexaca at the end of the 2023/24 summer transfer window.

A product of the Pachuca Academy, the reliable defensive midfielder got the tackling, anticipation and positioning to intercept moves and regain possession before play enters the defensive third. He could be used as a Half-back in a 4-3-3 system as he’s defensive solid. At the moment, he currently plays in a 4-2-3-1 system but is no stranger to be playing in a 4-4-2 formation neither.

Transfer Value: €850K-2.5M

Current Ability: 127

Francisco Fydriszewski / 30 / Barcelona S.C (Ecu)

Along with Argentinian goalkeeper Javier Burrai, Francisco Fydriszewski is one of five Argentinian’s who play for Ecuardorian Barcelona S.C. Francisco Fydriszewski is another Target Forward or Deep-Lying Forward who got the physical prowess to dominate in aerial situations, such as from crosses or attacking corners.

He can easily play in the role of the Complete Forward as he both got the strength, off the ball movement, finishing and technique to be a single forward in a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 system.

Born in San Lorenzo but of Polish descent, Francisco Fydriszewski is a product of the renown Newell’s Old boys Academy – the club that gave us Lionel Messi and Lisandro Martinez. Throughout his career, Franscisco has scored 79 goals in 207 appearances, but has used much of his career being loaned out from Newell’s until he made the move to Audas in Ecuador in January 2021.

His abilities is probably more suited to mid-table clubs in Belgium, top teams in one of the scandinavian countries, or nations such as Switzerland, Austria, Serbia or Croatia. If you manage to gain a work permit, then he might be a suitable options for English League One or Championship sides, or become a competitior to Carlton Morris at Luton.

Transfer Value: €850K-2M

Current Ability: 128

Agustin Sant’Anna / 25 / Defensa y Justicia

If you’re looking for an attacking right back who can provide overlaps and get in crosses from the byline, then Uruguayan wingback Agustin Sant’Anna. The former Under-20 Uruguayan international with 16 caps, came through the CA Cerro Academy before moving to Nacional in 2018 and Defensor Sporting in 2021.

Throughout his career he has been released from his contract on every occasionbut has experience from both Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. So far he’s made 19 assists and 18 goals in 208 appearances.

In FM24, Agustin Sant’Anna is a natural both as an attacking fullback or as an attacking wingback in WBR-position. His off the ball movement and crossing gives you everything you desire in an attacking wingback. His abilities from free-kicks and long shots resembles some of the skills by Roberto Carlos in that way he can be an attacking threat from either direct free-kicks or wide free-kicks due to his long shots, technique and crossing.

His technique, passing, dribbling and vision is above average too whilst his finishing and acceleration could make him a useful winger. Personally, I rate Agustin Sant’Anna as the cheaper version of Daniel Alves and could be a wonderful complete wingback due to his ball control and athletism to run up and down the right flank to protect against counter-attacks and become an attacking addition who gets forward and provides overloads.

Transfer Value: €400K-1Mill

Current Ability: 128

Marwan Ateya / 24 / Al-Ahly

Looking for a defensive midfielder who can dictate tempo just like Sergio Busquets or Rodri, then Egyptian Deep-Lying Playmaker Marwan Ateya could be a wonderful prospect. Standing out for his vision, passing and technique, Marwan Ateya can use his ball control and anticipation to connect defence to attack by quickly progressing the ball forward.

Marwan Ateya got his international debut for the Egyptian national team in May 2023 and has received six appearances after that. With fierce competition from Eman Ashour, you might be able to get Marwan Ateya at a rather cheap price.

If you’re playing with two holding midfielders with one destroyer and one more creative playmaker, then Ateya could be a wonderful prospect as a Roaming playmaker in a 4-2-3-1 system. With 13 in dribbling, off the ball, stamina and tackling, you could re-train the player into a central midfielder or an Advanced Playmaker if you’re playing with a 4-3-3 system and wish to emphasize his abilities in possession of the ball and skills to thread the ball behind the defensive line when play enters final third.

Transfer Value: €475K-1.4Mill

Current Ability: 128

Alexander Barboza / 28 / Libertad

Looking for a physical imposing centre-back who can use his aggression and strength to win possession or deny goalscoring opportunities for the opposing forwards by using his height, body frame and physic to get an advantage of their opponents both in aerial situations and when defending at the ground, then Argentinian centre-back Alexander Barboza could become a useful option.

The 192cm tall defender is a key player for the Paraguayan team Libertad. Even though he likes to get stuck in and could make some fouls, his heading of 15, jumping reach of 15 and height could make him a wonderful target for both attacking and defending set-pieces. Just think about the number of goals he could make if you put him on the first post and aim those inswinging corners directly towards him. The opposition wouldn’t stand a chance!

For a player with his physical strength, Alexander Barboza got decent vision, first touch, passing and off the ball – meaning he could be a reliable option for teams preferring to build out from the back with a back three formation. As a wide-centre back or inverted-fullback he can take advantage of his stamina and work rate to occassionally make overlapping runs down the left flank, or deny counter-attacking moves down the left half space by positioning himself in that zone when the team enters final third.

Apart from below-par concentration and low decision-making, Alexander Barboza could be a great signing for any clubs hunting for promotions to the top tier. I would think he could make a wonderful impact in the Italian Serie B or Spanish La Liga 2.

He is also on an outgoing contract, meaning you can sign the player for free at the end of the contract.

Transfer Value: €140K-400K
Contract Ends: 31.12.2023*

Current Ability: 126

Vladyslav Kochergin / 27 / Rakow

Ukrainiain central midfielder Vladyslav Kochergin is a highly versatile and consistent playmaker who got overall decent abilities in all departments. With attributes ranging between 11 and 14 in all necessary attributes required to play as either a Deep-Lying Playmaker or an Advanced playmaker in MC or AMC position, he could be a wonderful prospect for teams playing in Serbia, Croatia, Italy or Netherlands.

At Rakow, Vladyslav Kochergin has been mainly used in the AMC role as one to create chances and feed the strikers with wonderful through balls. His long shots of 14 and finishing of 12 could make him able to finish off chances within the final third, or provide an attacking threat from long ranges.

His vision and passing of 14 may ruslt in a huge number of key passes and assists, especially if you manage to secure his signature for a club in minor divisions around the levels of Ekstraklasa. In FM24, at the start of 2023-24 season, he is wanted by Serie A club Hellas Verona, something that may paint the picture of his playing level.

Transfer Value: €450K-1.4Mill

Current Ability: 125

Other FM24 Cheap Gems Under €5Mill

Other FM24 Cheap Gems Under €1Mill