START7 is back! With these players, you lay the foundation for success.

Many clubs have made intensive use of the summer break in the DAIKIN HBL to strengthen their squads in a targeted manner. And just as rapidly as in START7 Fantasy Manager, the transfer merry-go-round has also been spinning at the clubs: new players are entering the stage, while familiar faces from last season are revealing unexpected potential.

 

What is striking is that the entry prices in Fantasy Manager are surprisingly moderate, especially for international stars who want to cause a sensation (again) in the Bundesliga. World-class goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas, who is currently injured, is still available for 250,000 euros. Even cheaper is his new Kiel teammate Veron Nacinovic – now a real bargain at just €170,000! Tobias Grøndahl, the new playmaker for Füchse Berlin, is also available for €350,000. If you want to shop smart, you should definitely keep an eye on these names.

 

But reinforcements didn't just come from abroad. Top players also switched clubs within the league – some of them in spectacular fashion. The most prominent example: Marko Grgic, top scorer and young player of the 2024/25 season, is joining SG Flensburg-Handewitt. He is the second most expensive player in START7, with a value of over 1.7 million euros. However, given his performances in the previous season, he should justify this price with a reliable points haul – similar to Mathias Gidsel, who is currently worth 2.3 million euros and is once again listed as the most expensive player.

Grgic also leads the playmaker position in terms of price – ahead of another top summer transfer: Leif Tissier (over 1.2 million euros), who will play for Hannover-Burgdorf in the future. Those looking for a solid but cheaper alternative should consider Luca Witzke (approx. 800,000 euros). The new Flensburg player brings experience and could be the ideal value-for-money package – perfect for freeing up budget for other positions.

Also exciting: Olle Forsell Schefvert, who can be acquired for around €660,000. However, Domen Novak is a particularly good value tip: after a mixed preseason, the right winger is starting the game at just €380,000. But anyone who remembers his performances from two years ago knows that he has the potential to be a top scorer.

Andri Mar Runarsson (€210,000) could also be a smart move. The Icelandic backcourt player wants to get started in Erlangen – why not right at the start of the season? Considering his potential, Kay Smits could also be a top transfer, as he is currently still far from his previous market value.

 

Before speculative transfers are considered, every team needs a solid foundation. Those who use their budget wisely can secure advantages right from the start. Players who perform well on the pitch but fly under the radar in terms of price are particularly worthwhile. Some of the best value-for-money tips include Jannik Kohlbacher (€580,000), Constantin Möstl (€670,000), Domagoj Duvnjak (€500,000) and Ludvig Hallbäck (€500,000). Nils Lichtlein (€450,000), Hakun West av Teigum (€420,000), Albin Lagergren (€400,000), Elias Ellefsen á Skipagotu (€260,000) and Magnus Landin (€190,000) also offer a lot of quality for comparatively little money. They form a strong foundation for any squad.

 

Those willing to take more risks will find exciting players in Stuttgart, Wetzlar, Eisenach or at Bergischer HC. For example: Simone Mengon (600,000 euros) – will he remain a top performer under a familiar coach in a new environment? Or Nikola Grahovac (Wetzlar, 110,000 euros), Stephan Seitz (Eisenach, €63,000) and Sören Steinhaus (BHC, €220,000) – will they make a breakthrough in their new roles? Mohamed El-Tayar (Hamburg) and Rutger ten Velde (Göppingen) could also hit the ground running in their second season at their clubs. And what will happen to the top talents from the relegated Potsdam squad? Josip Simic (€120,000), Elias Kofler (€67,000) and Maxim Orlov (€44,000) can hope for playing time in their new teams – and could be real surprises. One thing is clear: if you pick the right players here, you can massively upgrade your team.

However, caution is advised with injured or struggling players: Nebojsa Simic and Aaron Mensing are not expected to make a comeback in the short term – transfers here are only worthwhile in the medium term at the earliest. The situation is different for Nikola Bilyk (€420,000), for example. After an injury-plagued season, the backcourt star seems to be fit again – and could be a real hit for his price.