What a player's market value is and how it is set
Market value is an estimate of what a player should cost given his quality, age and position. It is a reference: the real price is whatever someone is willing to pay.
Real football publishes market values for every player, yet transfers often close above or below them. The same happens in manager games: the value is for orientation, not for setting the price. The factors that weigh most are current quality, age and potential. A youngster with a high ceiling is usually worth more than a veteran of the same level, because he can still grow and will play for many more years.
In ELDT market value comes from overall, age and position and is recalculated automatically. The real price is set by the auction: a young player with good potential usually goes above his value and a player over 30 below it. When you sell, the game suggests a starting price based on the value.
A tip from the guide for buying cheap: look for players aged 28 to 30 with a good overall. They perform the same, cost less and the computer clubs do not fight for them as hard. Bear in mind that from Season 3 players slowly lose physical attributes from 31.
See it in the game: the manager's guide.
Related terms
More on Transfers
See also: online football manager · guides on the blog