Do-it-all central midfielders have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years and there are plenty of top players available on Football Manager 2024.
Regardless of the budget you're working with, you can find real value as you seek to build a midfield that can take you to the next level.
Here are 90min's top picks for central midfielders to sign on FM24.
Cheap options
Alvaro Fidalgo
America
At just £500,000, you won't find better value than Fidalgo, who is the perfect attack-minded midfielder if you can cope with his 6 tackling.
Stefano Sensi
Inter
You can usually find a bargain or two from Inter and Sensi is that cut-price option this year. £5.5m is more than fair for the 27-year-old creator.
Corentin Tolisso
OL
Injury problems have seen many forget just how good Tolisso actually is. He's incredibly versatile and can be picked up for a cool £5.5m.
Nahitan Nandez
Cagliari
If you want a defensive option for this role, Nandez at £2.9m is a smart pick-up. His 15 tackling is great and his 12 passing will help keep him afloat in midfield.
Miralem Pjanic
Sharjah
Former Barcelona and Juventus man Pjanic is still only 33 years old and still has a good few years left to enjoy his 18 passing. £2.5m will get you the veteran's signature.
Reasonable options
Youssouf Fofana
AS Monaco
Fofana, 24, is good enough to play for most teams with his 15 tackling and 14 passing. He's available for £12.5m when the game begins thanks to his expiring contract.
Hicham Boudaoui
OGC Nice
23-year-old Boudaoui is one of the most exciting prospects in French football. £9m is a sensational price for such a well-rounded player with nice potential.
Dani Parejo
Villarreal
One of the best deep-lying playmakers out there, 34-year-old Parejo looks excellent with 18 passing and 17 vision. You won't get many years out of him but, at £10.5m, that's not a massive problem.
Gedson Fernandes
Besiktas
Rebuilding his career in Turkey after a few difficult years, Fernandes is a really nice midfielder whose £14.5m asking price is worth considering. His 18 stamina should make him perfect for a combative role.
Salis Abdul Samed
RC Lens
Another defence-first midfielder, Samed looks like a well-rounded option for a mid-table side looking for a long-term building block.
Expensive options
Piotr Zielinksi
Parthenope
At £42m, Zielinski is steep but worth it. While his 8 tackling will need compensating with a smart partner, his 17 passing and 16 vision will make him the perfect orchestator for an elite side.
Mikel Merino
Real San Sebastian
A £38.5m release clause in Merino's contract should pique your interest. He's a tall ball-carrier with 16 passing and 14 dribbling.
Rodrigo de Paul
A. Madrid
De Paul is a bit of a do-it-all player. He comes with a £69m release clause but, thankfully, he can be signed for £46m.
Ali Al Musrati
Braga
Braga are full of bargains this year. In midfield, Al Musrati is your man at just £25.5m. He brings 16 for both passing and vision, and his 14 tackling is an excellent bonus.
Andre
FLU
£32m is a high price for a player of Andre's current ability but the Arsenal and Liverpool target looks like he could explode into one of the best midfielders around in just a few years.
Adrien Rabiot
Juventus
Rabiot's expiring contract makes him available for a cool £31m at the start of the game. For a well-rounded player who can attack and defend at a high level, that's not bad at all.
READ MORE ON THE BEST SIGNINGS & TEAMS TO START A SAVE WITH ON FM24
This article was originally published on 90min as The best central midfielders to sign on Football Manager 2024.
