Working on a tight budget in Football Manager 2026? Then free agents are an avenue to explore. At the start of the game, there are several notable names without a club, all of whom can be snapped up at little cost.
Here are some of the best free agents at the start of your save.
The best free agents to sign in Football Manager 2026
Takehiro Tomiyasu
The former Arsenal defender is without a club after his contract was terminated in North London in the summer.
Tomiyasu started brilliantly at Arsenal but saw his time in the Premier League ravaged by injuries. He’s injured at the start of the game and not ready to return until late-2025, but could be a bargain if he overcomes his issues.
The Japan international is still just 26 and can play right across the backline.
Paco Alcacer
In need of goal threat? Paco Alcacer could be the solution. The ex-Barcelona and Dortmund forward is available as a free agent after leaving UAE Pro League side Sharjah FC.
Despite a nomadic career, Alcacer is still just 32 and boasts 163 club career goals. He also netted 12 times in just 19 games for the Spanish national side.
Renan Lodi
Not many of the available free agents are in their prime years, but Renan Lodi is.
The 27-year-old is without a club after terminating his contract at Al-Hilal. The Saudi Pro League side had signed Lodi for €23m just 18 months earlier, but his deal was ripped up after he was left out of the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League squad due to the foreign player limit.
Capped 19 times for Brazil, he has pedigree.
Sergio Reguilon
Sergio Reguilon has become somewhat of a forgotten figure. The Spanish left-back spent time on loan at Manchester United and Brentford after being squeezed out at Spurs, before his release in the summer.
The 28-year-old is yet to find a new club, so could offer a bargain purchase for sides on limited budgets. A two-time Europa League winner, he’d suit a mid-table side in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Juan Bernat
The third left-back on this list, Juan Bernat’s decorated career is seeking a new chapter. He’s won eight league titles across spells at Bayern Munich and PSG, but recent stints at Villarreal and Getafe were less successful.
Released after a short stint at the latter earlier this year, the 32-year-old can be snapped up on a Bosman deal.
