Gameweek 3 has given Fantasy Premier League managers plenty to think about.
Alexander Isak announced himself with a two-goal performance for Liverpool, Cody Gakpo delivered two assists, Morgan Rogers scored again for Chelsea, and several budget options continued to attract serious attention.
At the same time, some popular preseason picks are already losing FPL managers’ patience.
With Gameweek 4 approaching, the key question is no longer simply, “Who scored the most points last week?” Instead, managers
should be asking which players have the combination of form, fixtures, minutes and underlying numbers to deliver consistently over the next few weeks.
Here are the top FPL Gameweek 4 transfer targets worth considering after GW3.
1. Cody Gakpo – Liverpool
Position: Midfielder
Price: £7.2m
Gameweek 3: 2 assists
Next fixture: Fulham (H)
If there is one player dominating the early Gameweek 4 transfer market, it is Cody Gakpo. More than 552,000 managers had already transferred in the Liverpool midfielder when the latest transfer data was published on the official FLP website, making him the most-bought player ahead of GW4.
Gakpo was instrumental in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich, providing both assists for Alexander Isak’s first-half brace. That performance continued a promising start to the season after he had already shown excellent attacking numbers in the previous gameweeks.
Liverpool’s upcoming schedule is another major reason for the interest. The Reds welcome Fulham to Anfield in Gameweek 4, giving Gakpo another opportunity to contribute from an advanced position.
The arrival of Bradley Barcola adds another attacking option to Liverpool’s squad, so there is some competition for minutes. However, Gakpo’s current role and end product make him one of the most attractive midfield transfers available.
Gakpo is my favorite midfield transfer for managers looking for a player who combines form with a favorable fixture.
2. Alexander Isak – Liverpool
Position: Forward
Price: £9.1m
Gameweek 3: 13 FPL points
Next fixture: Fulham (H)
Alexander Isak may be the most obvious transfer target after Gameweek 3. The Liverpool striker scored twice inside the opening nine minutes against Ipswich, finishing the match with 13 FPL points. Both goals were assisted by Gakpo.
The performance also confirmed that Isak is already becoming an important part of Liverpool’s attack. He had previously scored eight FPL points against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 2, meaning he has now produced attacking returns in consecutive matches. His price has subsequently increased to £9.1m, while his ownership has climbed to 20.6%.
The timing is particularly interesting because Liverpool face Fulham at home next. Isak also has Manchester City away in Gameweek 6, but that is surrounded by more attractive fixtures. Managers looking for a premium forward who can challenge the likes of Haaland for captaincy honors in favorable matchups should be paying close attention.
If you can afford him without weakening the rest of your squad, Isak is one of the strongest forward transfers of the week.
3. Morgan Rogers – Chelsea
Position: Midfielder
Next fixture: Arsenal (A)
Morgan Rogers is another name climbing the Gameweek 4 transfer charts. The Chelsea midfielder scored his second goal of the season and has already risen in price following his latest performance.
The immediate fixture is not ideal, though. Chelsea travel to face Arsenal in Gameweek 4, which makes Rogers a less attractive one-week transfer than Gakpo or Isak.
However, FPL managers should think beyond a single gameweek. Chelsea have invested heavily in attacking talent, and Rogers has established himself as an important attacking piece under Xabi Alonso. His ability to arrive in dangerous areas also gives him multiple routes to FPL points.
The biggest argument against buying him right now is simply the fixture. If you already own Rogers, there is little reason to sell him. If you’re considering buying him, however, waiting until after Arsenal could be the smarter move.
Rogers is a player to target, but I wouldn’t prioritize him over Gakpo or Isak for Gameweek 4.
4. Yoane Wissa – Newcastle United
Position: Forward
Price: £6.2m
Next fixture: Leeds United (A)
Yoane Wissa remains one of the most popular budget-forward targets. The Newcastle striker blanked against Bournemouth in Gameweek 3, but that hasn’t stopped managers from moving for him. In fact, Wissa remains one of the most popular forward replacements, particularly for managers selling Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Igor Thiago.
The important thing here is not to judge Wissa solely on one blank. Newcastle face Leeds in Gameweek 4 before hosting Hull City in Gameweek 5. That creates an appealing short-term fixture run for Eddie Howe’s attack. Wissa has already shown that he can provide FPL value at his price point, and Newcastle’s attacking options around him should create opportunities.
There is also a broader reason for the optimism: managers are looking for ways to distribute their budget after spending heavily on premium players such as Haaland and Isak. At £6.1m, Wissa gives you another route to attacking returns without breaking the bank.
Wissa is one of the best budget-forward options for managers who need to free up money elsewhere.
5. Thierno Barry – Everton
Position: Forward
Price: Budget option
Next fixture: Manchester United (H)
Thierno Barry is the more intriguing alternative to Wissa. Barry has scored once this season, but his underlying numbers are particularly interesting. According to Fantasy Football Fix’s latest comparison, Barry leads Wissa and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for shots, shots on target, attempted assists, big chances and expected goals.
That’s important because FPL managers shouldn’t only chase completed goals. Barry has registered nine shots, three shots on target and four big chances, while also leading the comparison for expected goals. Even better for his prospects, Everton’s sale of Beto has improved Barry’s expected minutes.
The downside is his upcoming matchup against Manchester United. Still, if you’re looking for a cheaper forward who could become a long-term starter rather than simply a one-week punt, Barry deserves serious consideration.
Barry is my preferred budget differential over simply chasing the latest points haul.
6. Maxim De Cuyper – Brighton
Position: Defender
Price: £4.8m
Gameweek 3: 4 points
Next fixture: Coventry City (A)
Maxim De Cuyper’s price has now risen to £4.8m after another wave of transfers. He currently sits at around 19.4% ownership. His appeal goes beyond his spectacular 17-point Gameweek 1 haul.
De Cuyper has been operating in an advanced role for Brighton, effectively playing further forward than his FPL defender classification suggests. That gives him something every FPL manager wants: multiple routes to points.
He can earn clean-sheet and defensive contribution points while also providing attacking returns. Brighton’s Gameweek 4 fixture against Coventry is particularly attractive, although Arsenal in Gameweek 5 and Liverpool in Gameweek 8 are tougher matchups to keep in mind.
His 17-point opening-week haul was followed by a blank against Chelsea, but he recovered with four points against Leeds. The important thing is not to expect another 17-point explosion. The appeal is his potential to consistently outperform the price of a traditional £4.8m defender.
If you need a budget defender, De Cuyper remains one of the most exciting options in the game.
7. Morgan Gibbs-White – Nottingham Forest
Position: Midfielder
Next fixture: Aston Villa (A)
Morgan Gibbs-White is the type of player worth considering if you’re looking beyond the obvious transfer targets. Nottingham Forest have started the season inconsistently, but Gibbs-White remains central to their attacking play.
His appeal comes from his involvement rather than simply relying on goals. He is capable of producing points through goals, assists and bonus points, while Forest’s attacking structure gives him a significant share of their creative responsibility. The Gameweek 4 fixture against Aston Villa is not the easiest, so this isn’t necessarily a transfer you need to make immediately.
However, if you’re looking for a midfielder outside the most popular template picks, Gibbs-White deserves consideration. He is strong option for managers who want a lower-owned midfielder with genuine attacking responsibility.
In summary, the biggest lesson from Gameweek 3 is that FPL managers should avoid making transfers purely because a player delivered a huge score. Instead, look for players whose performances are supported by their role, underlying statistics, minutes and upcoming fixtures.
Cody Gakpo is my No. 1 transfer target. His two assists against Ipswich, attacking involvement and Liverpool’s home fixture against Fulham make him extremely attractive. Alexander Isak is the premium forward target after his two-goal performance, while Yoane Wissa provides an affordable route into a promising Newcastle attack.
For managers looking to strengthen their defense, Maxim De Cuyper remains one of the best budget options, particularly because of his advanced role. And if you’re looking for a cheaper forward with genuine underlying potential, Thierno Barry could be the smart alternative to the more obvious Wissa move.
Most importantly, don’t feel pressured to make a transfer just because everyone else is doing it. The best FPL managers don’t simply chase last week’s points—they identify players who are likely to keep producing them.
With Gameweek 4 approaching, Gakpo, Isak, Wissa and De Cuyper are the four names I would prioritize.
- READ MORE: Premier League Gameweek 3 Review: Biggest Talking Points and Takeaways
