I suggest you to stay level for a season and gather some resources, it impossible to be competitive with what you currently have. we already complained about the transfer market time ago and I think at this point it is useless to open the same talking points again even thou I completely agree with you.
I don't know it seems strange that 3 star players go for 5 T. I think that signing 4 star players will not be a problem, the first days may be a little overflown but try in different times because I'm sure there are periods when the TM is less flooded with people in my area is usually 12:00-13:00.
Don't worry to much about a game

, just try to adapt and enjoy it. 18yo 5star players sadly go for 40 plus Tokens and that is something you have to balance in the next seasons, try using negotiations more when you have some T.