The transfer market is where good saves become great, or where promising starts fall apart. Footy Manager's market is dynamic: you scout, bid, and negotiate, but you also have to live with your wage bill long after the window closes. Here's how to approach it like a manager who's planning for season three, not just season one.
Scout before you spend
The transfer screen lets you browse available players by position. Use the filters, don't just scroll. Before you bid on anyone, identify two things:
- What position genuinely needs reinforcement? Look at minutes played per starter and depth at each position.
- What age profile? Are you buying for now, for two seasons from now, or for resale?
If you can't answer both, you're not ready to bid.
The bidding game
Place a bid and the selling club responds: accept, reject, or counter. Two common mistakes:
- Opening too low. A lowball bid burns goodwill, the selling club may refuse to negotiate further.
- Opening too high. You leave money on the table that you'll wish you had for wages.
Start around 85–90% of what you think the player is worth, with room to come up. If you genuinely value them at their asking price, just pay it, drawn-out negotiations can leak the player to a rival.
Wages are the silent killer
Transfer fee is a one-time cost. Wages are forever (well, for the contract length). A bargain signing on huge wages can wreck your books and lock you into mediocrity.
Before agreeing wages, ask: "If I had to sign three more players at this wage tier, could I afford it?" If the answer is no, you're overpaying.
Balance your budget across the season
Don't blow the entire window on one superstar. The clubs that win leagues spread spend across positions, better goalkeeper, backup full-back, depth in midfield, instead of buying a £50m striker and ignoring their leaky defence.
Selling is a skill too
Every save eventually has players you need to move on: fading veterans, deadwood, or stars who attract better offers than you can refuse. Don't be sentimental. The money funds your next rebuild, and the wage savings give you headroom.
Time sales early in the window, you'll get better offers before clubs find alternatives.
The "one bid per window" rule
If you have a clear top target, make one strong opening bid and be willing to walk away. Going back three times with rising offers signals desperation and inflates the price every time.