These 5 small clubs in FM24 come with big budgets, making them perfect for ambitious saves and financial dominance.
Discover underrated clubs in FM24 with surprisingly large budgets that give
you a financial edge in lower leagues.
Let me guess—you’ve had enough of scraping pennies together in the Vanarama National League. You’re tired of signing 34-year-old free agents just to avoid relegation. Sometimes, you just want to be a big fish in a small pond.
Well, mate, this is your guide.
These five clubs may not be continental giants, but in their respective leagues, they’re financial powerhouses. Whether you want to dominate domestically, storm through the play-offs, or finally push for a European run, these teams have the budget to back your ambition.
1. Southampton (Championship, England)
You’ll inherit a decent squad with Premier League leftovers, some excellent youth prospects (like Gavin Bazunu and Carlos Alcaraz), and a stadium that wouldn’t look out of place in the top flight. Your job? Get them back up, ideally playing some swashbuckling football along the way.
Pro Tip: Prioritise young players with resale value—there’s room to grow and cash in later.
2. Celta Vigo (LaLiga, Spain)
But here’s the kicker: £34.2 million in transfer budget. That’s more than some Europa League-level clubs. With that kind of cash, you can build a team that does more than just survive.
Aspas might be ageing, but the rest of the squad has potential. Combine that with a smart recruitment strategy and a pressing tactical setup, and you’re looking at a dark horse for Europe.
Pro Tip: Spend big early—LaLiga is unforgiving, and mid-season struggles are tough to recover from.
READ ALSO: FM24 - Clubs With Biggest Transfer Budgets
3. Parma (Serie B, Italy)
You’ll manage in a league filled with gritty 1-0 wins and a grind-it-out mentality. But Parma gives you the tools to rise above that—literally.
Bring in a creative AMC, shore up the defence with a no-nonsense centre-back, and take the league by storm. This save has rebuild written all over it.
Pro Tip: Get a top striker on loan from Serie A. Goals are at a premium in Serie B.
4. Hamburger SV (2. Bundesliga, Germany)
With £2.5 million to spend and a £339k wage budget, you’re operating with Bundesliga-lite finances in a second-tier competition.
They’ve got the stadium, the fanbase, and just enough quality to tempt you into a rebuild project. Just don’t slip into their same pattern of late-season collapses.
Pro Tip: Sort the backline ASAP. Set-piece goals conceded have haunted HSV in recent seasons.
READ ALSO: Top 8 Sleeping Giants to Rebuild in FM24
5. FC København (Danish Superliga)
But with a £9.7 million transfer kitty and £340k in wages, you can go full Ajax-mode in Denmark—scout smart, dominate the league, and build a squad capable of Champions League upsets.
The real challenge is pushing beyond Denmark and making noise in Europe. With their youth academy and budget, the potential is massive.
Pro Tip: Build for the Champions League early. Prioritise pace and set-piece prowess.
Final Whistle
Sometimes, managing a financial underdog is fun. But sometimes? It’s even more satisfying to bully your way to the top with a club that punches well above its weight.
These five clubs give you the best of both worlds: small in stature, massive in ambition. Whether you want to dominate the domestic scene or cause chaos in Europe, each one offers a unique journey.
So which one will it be?
Let me know who you're managing this season in the comments or on socials—and if you’ve found another small club with a monster budget, I want to hear it!
