The transfer market is always a complex and intriguing process for football clubs, but for Romanian giants FCSB, they are taking a unique approach to identifying potential targets this summer. In an exclusive interview, club owner Gigi Becali revealed that the team is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to help select attacking players who could be brought to the club.
The process involves the scouting department inputting a player’s profile into Chat GPT, a popular AI tool, which then generates a list of potential targets. Becali then selects the final three to four options, after which the AI’s suggestions are narrowed down to a shortlist. This innovative approach has sparked curiosity among fans and pundits alike, with many wondering what kind of players the AI has identified as potential targets.
**The AI’s Proposals**
When asked about the AI’s suggestions, we put the tool through a series of tests, asking it to identify attacking players in the lower divisions of France, a key area of focus for FCSB this summer. The AI proposed several players, including:
1. Pape Meissa Ba, a 28-year-old Senegalese striker currently playing for Red Star FC in Ligue 2. The estimated transfer fee is between €0.8-1 million.
2. Alexandre Mendy, a 32-year-old Ivorian forward who has played for Montpellier in Ligue 2. The estimated transfer fee is between €0.5-1 million.
3. Romain Montiel, a 31-year-old French striker who currently plays for Creteil in Ligue 2. The estimated transfer fee is between €0.4-0.8 million.
4. Goduine Koyalipou, a 26-year-old French striker who is set to become a free agent on July 1.
5. Jovany Ikanga, a 24-year-old French striker who currently plays for Red Star FC. The estimated transfer fee is €0.5 million.
**Alternative Options**
We also asked another AI tool, Gemini, to identify potential attacking players for FCSB in the lower divisions of France and other leagues similar in level to Ligue 3, where the club has previously signed players such as Ronny Labonne. Gemini’s suggestions included:
1. Kévin Farade, a 30-year-old French striker who scored 19 goals for FC Fleury 91 in Ligue 3 last season.
2. Kapitbafan Djoco, a 30-year-old French striker who has scored 11 goals for Sochaux in Ligue 3 this season.
3. Fahd El Khoumisti, a 33-year-old French striker who has scored 18 goals for US Orléans in Ligue 3 this season.
4. Shelton Guillaume, a 28-year-old French striker who scored 12 goals for Versailles 78 in Ligue 3 last season.
5. Yanis Barka, a 28-year-old French striker who has scored 10 goals for Dijon FCO in Ligue 3 this season.
6. Cédric Odzoumo, a 31-year-old French striker who scored 9 goals for Versailles 78 in Ligue 3 last season.
**International Options**
Gemini also suggested several players from other leagues, including:
1. Malik Mothersille, a 25-year-old English striker who plays for Stockport in League One.
2. Claudio Morra, a 29-year-old Italian striker who plays for Vicenza in Serie C.
3. Boris Lum, a 25-year-old German striker who plays for Hertha Berlin II in 3. Liga.
The use of AI in the transfer market is a groundbreaking approach that could potentially revolutionize the way clubs identify and sign new players. While the results are intriguing, only time will tell if FCSB’s AI-powered transfer strategy will yield the desired results.
FCSB‘s summer transfer business will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, and the club’s willingness to experiment with new technologies could be a sign of things to come in the world of football.