Football Manager 26: Discover the Elite Goalkeepers Who Will Transform Your Squad
No position on the field holds greater significance than the goalkeeper role in Football Manager 26.
Reliable hands between the posts can determine the difference between triumph and disappointment, and contemporary keepers are also required to initiate offensive plays through their distribution skills. Securing the right individual for this essential position is critical.
Here are Sports Illustrated's recommendations for the finest goalkeepers to acquire, irrespective of your available transfer budget.
Jump To:
Budget-Friendly Choices
Luis Malagón (Club América)
When operating with restricted finances, Luis Malagón from Club América could be your solution.
The 28-year-old is available for merely £2 million and possesses sufficient quality to feature as first choice for most clubs in the game, while serving as exceptional backup for elite teams.
Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres)
Priced at only £475,000 with relatively modest wages, Nahuel Guzmán represents the finest value option available for immediate needs.
The sole drawback regarding the Tigres keeper is his age of 39, but if you require temporary assistance while accumulating funds for pricier alternatives on this list, he's your answer.
Keisuke Osako (Hiroshima)
Securing Hiroshima's Keisuke Osako will cost merely £1.4 million, and at 25 years old, he represents one of the rare choices at this price range offering long-term value.
Featuring consistent 14s and 15s throughout his attributes, Osako is a straightforward goalkeeper who maintains simplicity and provides dependable hands.
Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig)
For top-tier clubs seeking cost-effective goalkeeper solutions, RB Leipzig's Péter Gulácsi stands as virtually your sole viable choice.
The 35-year-old remains exceptional between the posts, possessing the qualities required at elite level, and is obtainable for just £7.25 million.
Predrag Rajkovic (Al Ittihad)
Predrag Rajković starts the campaign available for transfer but, importantly, represents one of few players who avoided astronomical wages when relocating to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad will release him for £5.5 million, representing the type of opportunity any mid-tier team in premier divisions should pursue aggressively.
Mid-Range Selections
Yann Sommer (Inter)
Yann Sommer stands as the optimal choice within this price bracket. He ranks among the finest goalkeepers available but can be acquired for as little as £4.4 million, with reasonable wages making him accessible for any club.
The Inter keeper's standout quality is his 18 reflexes rating, with the only negative being his approaching 37th birthday.
Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal)
Al Hilal seeks to offload Yassine Bounou at the campaign's start and will accept just £4.1 million for one of the world's premier goalkeepers.
His wages are substantial, making this deal less economical than initially appears, but Bounou's earnings remain far below the levels that render Saudi transfers impossible to reverse back to Europe.
Édouard Mendy (Al Ahli)
Should Bounou not interest you, consider Al Ahli, where former Chelsea keeper Édouard Mendy also appears on the transfer list.
The situation mirrors that of the Senegal international, whose elevated wages are balanced by the mere £4.9 million required to secure his signature.
Alexander Nübel (Bayern Munich, on loan at Stuttgart)
Bayern Munich's Alexander Nübel has represented a clever acquisition for mid-tier clubs for numerous years, and this continues in FM26.
He begins the game loaned to Stuttgart but can be signed immediately upon offering £4.1 million and providing him with a substantial contract.
Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna)
Łukasz Skorupski's wages at Bologna remain highly affordable, which predictably results in a somewhat elevated transfer fee.
£8 million sits at this price range's upper limit but continues representing outstanding value for a 34-year-old goalkeeper capable of serving virtually any global club.
Premium Selections
Alex Meret (Napoli)
Alex Meret has consistently represented a wise FM signing, and this continues in this year's game version.
His £17.5 million release clause offers exceptional value for an elite goalkeeper featuring 17 reflexes and 16 handling. Superior options are scarce.
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Swift action may be advisable. Mike Maignan's AC Milan contract enters its final year, reducing his price to manageable levels.
£35 million represents fair value for a goalkeeper of his caliber. His attributes page displays 17s and 16s throughout, while his salary remains considerably lower than most keepers with comparable ability.
Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta)
Remaining in Serie A with another goalkeeper on an expiring contract. Atalanta's Marco Carnesecchi awaits acquisition by an elite club.
With a £17.5 million price tag and remarkably modest salary, the 25-year-old represents obvious value while retaining significant growth potential with his impressive ceiling. Secure him promptly.
Mile Svilar (Roma)
A former prodigy who took an indirect path to fulfill his potential, Roma's Mile Svilar ranks among FM26's finest goalkeepers. Unfortunately, he lacks the bargain pricing of many fellow Serie A keepers.
Nevertheless, Svilar becomes available for £45 million once sufficient time passes following his summer contract renewal. While seemingly expensive, few players of his current quality are obtainable at such prices.
Diogo Costa (Porto)
Diogo Costa's £65 million valuation is steep, we acknowledge. However, it merits consideration since he has entered FM26's elite goalkeeper tier.
This investment secures a 25-year-old keeper who will continue developing beyond his current level, essentially guaranteeing world-class goalkeeping for the coming decade.