Salary isn't useless if you use it to train young players. Keep him on the nego list, train special ability and sell him for tokens and profit.
A 19 or 20y with SA and 1p from 6* is very popular, you can easily get some 3 token offer and up to 20 tokens if you were lucky.
If you don't have 20 players check out for 20-under free agents, train and use them as subs and sell them after you built them attractively.
Can't afford players in the market? Get your token young he is an expansive fast trainer that cost no money to sign. You can always sell him later.
22slots for a team is not enough for me. I wish I could have something like 30...