The Lamine Yamals, Endricks and Ethan Nwaneris of the world often dominate lists of the best ‘wonderkids’ to sign on Football Manager – but many managers will never accumulate the budget for these players.
The cheap hidden gem is arguably the most popular signing a player will make in their save game, someone who won’t break the bank and has the chance to become a world beater.
Here the Sporting Loft’s Sam Leasley showcases five hidden gem wonderkids who you should consider signing in FM26.
The Kairat double
Following their remarkable Champions League qualification this season, Kairat Almaty have experienced a huge boost in youth rating and also hold two incredible wonderkids in their arsenal.
Daulet Orynbasar and Dastan Satpayev are both 16-year-old strikers for the Kazakhstani outfit and both hold incredible potential of between 150-170.
This potential range puts them into the category of consistent Premier League performers and they will cost less than £10million for the both of them combined.
Due to the lower reputation of the Kazakhstani Premier League, clubs from lower coefficient nations will still be able to acquire this talent duo and profit from their on field performance or exponential growth.
Saba Kharebashvili
Since the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to the world stage, Georgia has seen its stock rise and more youngsters are catching the eyes of talent scouts all across Europe.
Kharebashvilli is a new starlet to monitor both in game and in real life who currently plies his trade at Dinamo Tbilisi.
He became a full international at 16 and has already made over 35 appearances for Dinamo’s senior team.
Even the strictest negotiations will see you be able to sign the left-sided defender for under £5million which will prove a bargain fee for a player who holds the same potential range as both Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.
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Darwin Guagua
Moving from Eastern Europe to South America we find Darwin Guagua, who has found strong footing at Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador.
The attacking midfielder has already featured for the club’s senior team at 17 and having made his senior international debut, he is eligible for a work permit to move to the Premier League.
With potential that matches the likes of Omari Kellyman and Wilson Odobert, Guagua is destined for the top and can be signed for just a fraction of their prices.
A fee no higher than £3million will be enough to secure the Ecuadorian’s services and he proves a shrewd investment for future profit on and off the pitch.
Sebastian Olderheim
The top division of Norway is not exactly the traditional hotbed for players to chase after talent, however, Stabæk hold an incredible talent in their ranks with Sebastian Olderheim.
Having made 50 appearances for the senior team at only 18 years of age, Olderheim holds experience beyond his years and can aid your team with a steady figure in the centre of midfield.
As a regular feature in the youth international team, the midfielder will have no issues with regards to a work permit and holds mental attributes far higher than many his age.
A fee no higher than £6million will secure the services of Olderheim and he will provide a strong anchor in midfield whilst also giving a creative output should you push him forward.
Sadriddin Khasanov
We conclude with our fifth entry and sixth player (we’re counting the Kairat duo as one) and turn our attention to Uzbekistan.
The senior team have qualified for their first World Cup and their Under-17 side won the 2025 AFC Asian Cup, with Khasanov taking home the most valuable player award for the tournament.
He is a left-sided attacker who plays consistently for Uzbekistan Super League side Bunyodkor and holds incredible comparisons to former Bunyodkor player Rivaldo.
A fee of around £5million will ultimately be enough to sign the exciting international and he holds incredible potential similar to the likes of Stefanos Tzimas and Chelsea forward Marc Guiu.
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