Transfer Hacks to Discover Wonderkid After Wonderkid in Football Manager 

Is there a better feeling in Football Manager than unearthing the next wonderkid? The rush of dopamine as you discover an 18-year-old Ecuadorian with 15 determination, 18 acceleration and five star potential is unmatched. But finding these gems can be tough—unless you know some insider tricks. Here are the sneaky methods I use to uncover the next Jude Bellingham or Endrick, and build out my best wonderkids.

1. Sort by Media Description

This tip is perfect for those of us who are extremely lazy. It allows you to find wonder kids without using much brainpower. First, head to the scouting page (it should look something like this):

Next, if you’re on a Mac, then click and hold control. Go to ‘Insert Column’, scroll down to ‘General,’ and select ‘Media Description.’

Then, sort by ‘Media Description’ and scroll until you see “Wonderkid” next to a player. In this save, which is at the very beginning, Abdul Fatawu is already considered a wonderkid (you’ll find more if you’re a year into your save). Scout any player described as a wonderkid by the media—there’s a good chance they’ll be at least decent. Occasionally, they’ll turn out to be absolutely elite, and this method has landed me some major bargains over the years.

2. Sort by Player Status and Look for ‘Wanted’ Players

This is very similar to the last tip. But this one isn’t exactly for the very lazy amongst us, as it can be a bit time consuming and will take a little longer. So, let’s get into it. For this one, you’ll want to sort by ‘INF’ (Player Status Information)

Scroll down to players with ‘Wnt’ (Wanted) next to their name.

Hover over “Wnt” to see which clubs are interested in the player. The level of clubs interested can indicate their potential. For example, if clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona, or Manchester United are eyeing a player, you’re likely looking at a future star. However, if clubs like Forest Green, Leyton Orient, or Walsall are interested, it’s safe to assume the player won’t be quite as promising.

For example, when I hovered over Reo Hatate, Brentford and Crystal Palace were interested. Even if I didn’t know who Reo was, I could safely assume he’s a mid-table Premier League player—solid, but probably not world-class. On the other hand, Mike Jones, who was only wanted by Morecambe, clearly isn’t going to fit into my Champions League squad.

If the number of players with “Wnt” next to their name is overwhelming, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Filter by players with at least one international youth cap. This will weed out the less talented players, leaving you with more potential stars.

3. Scout International Youth Teams and Top Youth Academies

Each tip is progressively more time-consuming, so only dive into this one if you’re fully addicted to your Football Manager save and have ample time (i.e., you’re a university student).

International youth teams are excellent at selecting the best prospects, so scouting these squads will often lead to hidden gems. Many will be playing for top clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but your goal is to find those playing for less prestigious teams—they’ll have lower asking prices. The jackpot is when you discover a player with a low release clause. I recommend focusing on these countries: Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Egypt, Turkey, and Mexico. The top European players tend to be too expensive.

Similarly, scout the youth academies of clubs known for producing wonderkids. Some teams are wonderkid factories, and you want to be the first to snatch them up. Here’s a list of clubs to keep an eye on: Club Brugge, Ajax, KRC Genk, PSV, Sporting, RB Salzburg, Benfica, Dinamo, Anderlecht, FC Midtjylland, FC Kobenhavn, River Plate.

So there you have it—just a few tips I use to find wonderkids and turn my League Two squad into a powerhouse that can challenge Manchester City. If you enjoyed this article, drop a comment and let me know if you want more tips. What tricks do you use to find wonderkids? Rememmber to check out our other FM24 guides, including the best strikers to sign and the best FM24 wingers.