The role of AI is ever-increasing in today’s world – especially in football. Therefore, we asked AI to give us one transfer target for each EFL Championship club. The answers below are the reponses the AI generated.
This piece will outline the player’s profile, the possibility of this deal and will include a rating at the end of each club’s section.
Let’s find out what the AI put below.
Birmingham City: George Tanner (Bristol City – Fee)
Described as a “solid Championship right-back, but not always first choice at Bristol City” (despite making 36 appearances for the playoff side last campaign), AI decided to recommend George Tanner as Birmingham’s transfer target.
This is despite the fact that the Blues already have Ethan Laird and Taylor Gardner-Hickman as depth for the right-back spot.
Tanner also featured multiple times during the 2024/25 season in the right centre-back role, most notably during the playoffs.
This would require quite a hefty fee, as Tanner’s market value is around £2,000,000, as well as being contracted until 2028, however I wouldn’t put it past Birmingham to splash out the cash for some extra depth.
Realistic Rating: 5/10
Blackburn Rovers – Jamal Lewis (Free Agent)
Out of contract Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis was the AI’s selection for Valerian Ismael’s Blackburn Rovers side.
A former player dubbed “Wonderkid”, with admirers including Liverpool after his breakout season with Norwich City during their 2018/19 promotion campaign, Lewis has significantly dropped in favour since his £10,000,000 move to Newcastle.
Due to an unsuccessful loan with Brazilian side Sao Paulo, as well as being completely frozen out of Newcastle’s first-team squad, Lewis is set to depart the club as a free agent after just 36 appearances during his five-season tenure.
Since Ismael’s arrival, Yuri Ribeiro has cemented the left-back position as his own, ahead of highly rated Harry Pickering, so it’s highly likely that coverage at left-back would not be the priority this window and Blackburn wouldn’t be the ideal club for Jamal Lewis to fulfil even a small part of his former potential.
Realistic Rating: 5.5/10
Bristol City – Mads Andersen (Luton-fee)
Since relegation from the Premier League, Mads Andersen has slipped further and further out of favour at Luton, due to his recent injury record and struggling for minutes under new manager Matt Bloomfield.
Despite these recent misfortunes, Andersen was a part of League One team of the season and PFA team of the year during 2022/23 whilst contracted with Barnsley, indicating he could clearly be a quality Championship player, even if it’s just to add depth.
But do Bristol City need another centre-back?
With Kal Naismith leaving for Luton and Luke McNally out for a chunk of next season with an ACL, there are some minor gaps in the Robins’ central defence which last season set up in a 3-5-2 formation, however new gaffer Gerhard Struber’s tactics usually set up in a 4-2-2-2, and tends to focus on developing younger players which he focused on during his tenure at Salzburg.
This isn’t perfect, but one of the AI’s more reasonable suggestions.
Realistic Rating 7/10
Charlton Athletic – Brendan Wiredu
Since their playoff victory over Leyton Orient, Charlton will be focused on building a reliable squad to compete in the Championship with plenty of experience at this level.
The AI has completely flipped this idea on its head, by suggesting Fleetwood captain and former Charlton academy player Brendan Wiredu.
The defender has been reported to currently targeted by Rotherham with alleged submitted bids of over £500,000.
However, the jump to Championship level could potentially be too big for Wiredu as he’s spent a majority of his career around League One and League Two. But, he is highly regarded by former club Colchester and current club Fleetwood’s supporters to succeed at this level.
At the time of writing, Charlton have three centre-backs Alex Mitchell, Macauley Gillesphey and Lloyd Jones, and will undoubtably be targeting another centre-back, especially if they continue to set up with 3 central defenders.
Not an awful prediction, but I would imagine he will end up in the top end of League One.
Realistic Rating: 5/10
Coventry City – Rob Holding (Loan)
Since his big move to Arsenal in 2016 from Bolton, Holding has seen his market value decrease from £18,000,000 at its peak, to just £3,500,000, as he now finds himself back at Crystal Palace.
Here, the defender has made just 1 appearance for the club in two seasons due to a fall out with Oliver Glasner, following a reasonably unsuccessful loan spell to Sheffield United (making just five starts).
Surprisingly, AI has pulled a blinder here, as Lampard held strong interest in bringing Holding to Coventry back in January, ultimately choosing Sheffield United over them.
With Coventry pushing on to chase automatic promotion, after their playoff semi-final defeat, Holding could bring top-level experience to the side, even if he’s not guaranteed to start week-in-week-out behind players like Kitching and Thomas and could push for the game-time he desperately needs.
Realistic Rating: 7.5/10
Derby County – David Kasumu
As a versatile box-to-box midfielder, David Kasumu is known for his high work-rate and leadership qualities. Furthermore, his profile arguably fits the type of player John Eustace would want within his squad.
However, so far this transfer window, Derby’s transfer rumours suggest a more cost-effective approach, with Danny Batth and Andi Weimann in line to join ‘The Rams’ as free agents, and well as Carlton Morris joining on an undisclosed fee, presumably lower than expected, due to Luton’s relegation.
Kasumu would provide depth to Derby in the position of both box-to-box midfielder and defensive midfielder, following the departure of Tyrese Fornah, Jeff Hendrick and returning loanee Harrison Armstrong.
Once again, AI hasn’t done a bad job at predicting, this is one of the more believable ones on this list!
Realistic Rating: 8/10
Hull City – Brooke Norton-Cuffy
As one of the star of England’s Under 21’s Euros side, Norton-Cuffy has already had 3 loan spells at Championship sides in his career thus far (Rotherham, Coventry and Millwall), and one more doesn’t sound like an unreasonable idea from the AI.
After leaving Arsenal’s academy last summer, he joined Serie A side Genoa for around £2,000,000, making just 14 Serie A appearances, struggling to properly break into the starting line-up due to multiple muscle injuries.
However, the defender was able to start the final six games of the Serie A campaign by switching to a more wide-attacking role from his traditional right-back.
This versality would be beneficial to Hull, providing coverage for both right-sided positions. This could be especially useful when considering the imminent departure of Abu Kamara.
Yet again, it is another decent idea from the AI. But, due to his end of season form at Genoa, it seems unlikely for him to be loaned out once again.
Realistic Rating: 7/10
Ipswich Town – Cameron Archer (fee)
Freshly relegated Ipswich will be looking for striker options following the departure of top goal scorer Liam Delap, which has been picked up very wisely by the AI.
Archer joined Southampton from Aston Villa for a fee around £15,000,000 but severely underwhelmed with his performances and conversion rate, like most of the Southampton side last season.
Although Archer fits Ipswich’s counter-attacking style that McKenna has developed, he doesn’t possess the same characteristics the Tractor Boys would be searching for in their replacement for Liam Delap.
Therefore, this option would most likely wouldn’t be considered with their recruitment. This suggestion isn’t complete rubbish. But, Archer will most likely stay at Southampton due to the large fee they paid for him in the last transfer window.
Realistic Rating: 3.5/10
Leicester City – Fabio Carvalho (loan)
Fabio Carvalho has never quite lived up to expectations since joining Liverpool in 2022. After an underwhelming loan at RB Leipzig and a quite successful spell at Hull, Carvalho left Liverpool after making 21 appearances for the club.
The attacker then made the move to fellow Premier League side Brentford. The 2024/25 season was supposed to be Carvalho’s standout year.
However, the former Liverpool man registered just 2 goal contributions in 445 Premier League minutes before sustaining a shoulder injury from February onwards.
AI suggesting this move for Leicester sounds beneficial for both sides. This is because it will give Carvalho another chance in a lower division whilst giving Leicester a new CAM option.
Furthermore, with El Khannous seemingly on the way out of the Foxes and Buonnonate’s loan spell ending, adding a nice pacey player to the attack alongside Mavididi and Fatawu would add depth and quality to the King Power Stadium outfit’s attacking line-up.
Overall, this isn’t a bad idea from the AI and would be a very decent move for both parties.
Realistic Rating: 7/10
Middlesborough – Matisse Somoise (Fee)
The first player not currently based in English football that the AI has predicted is Gent right-back Matisse Somoise, who is just one game short of 200 appearances for the club.
Middlesborough’s lack of depth at right-back has been correctly picked up by the AI, following the departure of Anfernee Dijksteel.
With Luke Ayling also not getting any younger, a 23-year-old right-back with plenty of experience in the Belgian Pro League arguably would be an ideal coup for Middlesborough.
Somoise can also play as a right midfielder, but usually starts as an attacking full-back, mirroring players like Ryan Giles and Neto Borges on the left.
This is one of the best transfer targets decided by the AI. This is due to the fact that it correctly found a gap in the squad and located an extremely suitable solution.
Realistic rating 8/10
Millwall – Josh Bowler (Loan)
Bowler is a veteran of Championship loans, with five in his career already aged 26 (Hull, Blackpool, Cardiff, Preston, Luton), and is likely to add to that collection thanks to his contract at Europa Conference League side Nottingham Forest, where he arguably won’t even get a look in.
Regardless of this Championship experience, Luton supporters were certainly unimpressed with his tenure at the club. This is because he only played 150 minutes during their relegation campaign.
Bowler has been described as a “classic winger” in the past, due to his wide playmaking abilities. This matches Alex Neil’s attacking minded approach as Millwall aim for playoff contention.
This move would be especially useful due to the departures of George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore.
Knowing Bowler’s record of Championship loans, the AI has gone for a safe option for Millwall. However, no one would be particularly shocked if the AI’s idea becomes reality.
Realistic Rating 7/10
Norwich City – Sam Surridge
In form Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge is the AI’s selection for Liam Manning’s Norwich City side.
With 15 goals so far this season and AI describing him as a “target man”, Surridge currently stands as the MLS’s leading goal scorer, transforming himself into a poacher since leaving English football.
Standing at 1.91m, Surridge would provide a more physical striker compared to current striker Josh Sargent, whose signature is being chased by multiple sides.
Manning’s philosophy could potentially suit Surridge, who succeeded in the Championship under Steve Cooper, and would be familiar with the demands of the division.
However, the AI’s choice seems very unlikely to happen to due to Surridge thriving in the MLS.
Realistic Rating: 4/10
Oxford United – Ali Al-Hamadi (loan)
On the back of a loan spell at Stoke after slipping down the ranks at Ipswich during their one-year spell in the Premier League, Al-Hamadi will most likely be looking at loans elsewhere this window to continue developing in the Championship which the AI correctly detected.
But would Oxford be a decent suitor for him? According to Transfermarkt, Oxford already have 5 strikers or centre-forwards on their books (Romeny, Harris, Bradshaw, Goodwin and O’Donkor), although the latter will most likely head out on loan again to League One sides.
So. signing yet another forward would presumably not be Gary Rowett’s priority list this summer. This presumption is further strengthened through the fact that Rowett typically sets up with only one striker.
In my opinion, Al Hamadi being sent out on loan to a Championship club is a great call by the AI, but there are other clubs that suit him better.
Realistic Rating: 5/10
Portsmouth – Charlie Savage
Pompey’s midfield has some gaps to fill this summer, with just three first-team centre midfielders currently contracted to the club following Freddie Potts’ promising loan spell ending.
The AI has correctly observed this flaw in the first team, giving the side Charlie Savage as a suitable transfer target this summer.
Savage started every match for Reading from November onwards, cementing himself in the starting line-up, chipping in with 20 goal contributions in all competitions. This has created the belief within Royals fans that the midfielder can make the jump to the Championship.
The box-to-box midfielder is believed to be marketed at around £2,000,000, but Pompey haven’t particularly splashed the cash this window, focusing on cheaper options from abroad, in particular the A-League in Australia.
With plenty of Championship teams circling Savage’s signature, the AI has done a very decent job with this one.
Realistic Rating: 7.5/10
Preston North End – Kieffer Moore
6ft 4in powerhouse Kieffer Moore is the AI’s suggestion for Preston North End, following a respectable season at Sheffield United.
Last season saw Moore score 6 goals in his 30 Championship appearances. Despite slipping out of favour during the latter half of the season, Moore started in the striking spot for Sheffield United’s three playoff fixtures ahead of Tom Cannon and Rhian Brewster.
With just 1,768 Championship minutes last campaign, he could be tempted to become a regular starter at a new club on a season long loan, and PNE could be tempted to make this move following striker Emil Riis’s departure.
Riis Jakobsen’s departure leaves PNE with Osmajic, as well as the more senior Will Keane and Ched Evans as striking options, so Paul Heckingbottom might aim for a younger striker, despite working with Kieffer Moore previously.
Overall, this is a decent prediction from the AI, but it is most likely that he will remain at Sheffield United.
Realistic rating: 6/10
QPR – Joe Gelhardt
AI’s selection for newly appointed Julien Stephan’s QPR is Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt, who is coming off the back of a decent loan spell at Hull City, bagging 5 goals in 20 games during the second half of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
With opportunities at newly promoted Leeds United looking incredibly unlikely, Gelhardt will presumably be heading out on loan, most likely to the Championship once again.
However, a striker might not be high on Stephan’s priority list, with three solid options for the striker spot already contracted to the club (Frey, Kolli and Celar) and Charlie Kelman returning to the club following a successful loan spell at Leyton Orient that saw him score 21 goals in 46 League One appearances.
This isn’t an awful prediction from the AI. However, there are many clubs who would be more suitable for Gelhardt allowing him more game-time.
Realistic Rating 5.5/10
Sheffield United – Tyrhys Dolan
Out of contract Blackburn winger Tyrhys Dolan is the AI’s choice and will have plenty of Championship interest circling him this summer as an impressive free agent pickup.
Dolan could comfortably slot into most Championship sides wings with his versatility. This is the same versatility that saw the winger pick up 13 goal contributions during his 44 Championship games in the 2024/25 campaign.
Sheffield United will be on the hunt for wide-attackers this window, with both Ben Brereton-Diaz’s and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s loan spells ending. These departures have meant the current options for this position look scarce.
In contrast, many Blackburn fans have pointed out inconsistencies in his defensive efforts and overall attitude, holding his true ability back to be a regular starter for an ambitious Premier League chasing team with promotion hopes.
AI’s been smart and picked another free agent that will likely end up with a Championship side, and Sheffield United would be a very solid suitor for him.
Realistic Rating: 6.5/10
Sheffield Wednesday – Kasey McAteer
This is the most unrealistic of predictions, due to Sheffield Wednesday’s upcoming three window transfer ban restricting them from making loan transfers. However, the AI believes the Owls should target Leicester winger Kasey McAteer on loan.
Unfortunately, AI did not pick up on Wednesday’s embargo. But, theoretically, McAteer would be an impressive pickup on loan which would benefit both clubs due to the return of Abdul Fatawu. This return is likely to restrict McAteer’s game time at the Foxes.
Realistic Rating: 1/10
Southampton – Ben Doak
Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is AI’s suggestion for freshly relegated Southampton who are looking to rebuild themselves after a disastrous 2024/25 season.
The 19-year-old caught the eye of fans with his abilities to find space and dribble at pace during his loan spell with Middlesborough where he contributed 3 goals and 7 assists in 24 appearances.
With the imminent departure of Kamaldeen Sulemana and potential departure of Tyler Dibling, Southampton’s wide options may become incredibly thin, so the prospective transfer of Ben Doak either on loan or for a fee could make sense.
Overall, though, this move seems one of the most unlikely, with Premier League clubs Everton and Crystal Palace holding interest in the young Scotsman.
Here, AI has underestimated Doak’s potential suitors.
Realistic Rating: 4/10
Stoke City – Regan Slater
AI believes that Stoke should get Regan Slater to make the Championship switch from Hull City, to bolster their midfield.
Stoke City have already lost Jordan Thompson this summer window to Championship rivals Preston North End, but hold interest in signing a couple of replacements, such Barnsley CDM Jon Russell.
A move for Slater doesn’t make a lot of sense, as it feels a very sideways move for him after making 44 Championship appearances for the club and still having two more years on his Hull City contract.
Slater would arguably never be the flashiest pickup, but he would be a dependable, versatile asset for any Championship club.
It is a nice idea by the AI, but an idea that is very unlikely to materialise.
Realistic rating: 6/10
Swansea City – Luke Harris (Loan)
Fulham youngster Luke Harris is coming off the back of an uninspiring loan spell with Birmingham City as they won the League One title, hence why AI is predicting that another loan is on the cards for him.
Harris is highly rated by Fulham manager Marco Silva, making seven appearances for the Premier League side already and will be looking for more minutes, presumably a step up from last season.
With Joe Allen’s retirement, Swansea only have two centre-midfielder options contracted to the club (Franco and Fulton) and therefore will be searching for suitable depth to bolster their squad if they want to properly push for playoffs next season.
However, questions would be asked if this materialised whether Harris would be a regular starter, due to failing to impress during his recent loan spell. This could be a factor that makes this move less likely.
Overall, we can see that AI kept it simple here through choosing a low-risk loan option for Swansea City.
Realistic Rating: 7/10
Watford – Andre Dozzell (Fee)
Dozzell possesses a solid Championship resume, with 165 appearances in the league for QPR, Ipswich and Portsmouth, so a move to Watford isn’t a completely illogical move, but would be seen to many as a sideways move.
This is because since only moving to Pompey last summer, making 39 Championship appearances. Watford already have plentiful options for central midfielders.
Therefore, this position wouldn’t be one of the focus points for new manager Paulo Pezzolano’s new side.
Dozzell would likely slot into a holding or deep-lying midfield role, reinforcing the team’s defensive structure and aiding in build-up play, providing competition for Kayembe and Dwomoh.
However, in this situation, AI wasn’t able didn’t create a very believable transfer target for Watford, which leads me to giving this a 6 on the realistic scale.
Realistic Rating 6/10
West Bromwich Albion – Taiwo Awoniyi (Loan)
One of the AI’s boldest predictions in this article, is Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi joining The Baggies on a season long loan.
Since joining Forest for around £18,000,000, Awoniyi has made 85 appearances, bagging 19 goals, but struggled to make an impact during the 2024/25 season, with just 399 minutes across the whole Premier League season with, contributing just 1 goal.
However, Awoniyi’s season was cut short by a serious abdominal injury sending him into a short coma, but is now back fully recovered ahead of 2025/2026.
Despite Adam Armstrong’s loan ending, West Brom still have 5 strikers on their books according to transfermarket (Maja, Grant, Dike, Cole and Bany), so this position won’t be the main priority for them this window, and there are serious questions to be asked on whether Awoniyi would drop a division on loan.
Additionally, Forest may want to retain a bulk of their squad ahead of their UEFA Conference League campaign. Certainly one of the AI’s most outrageous ideas.
Realistic Rating: 2/10
Wrexham – Callum Robinson
Irish international Callum Robinson is AI’s choice for newly promoted Wrexham, leaving fellow Welsh club Cardiff City.
Robinson’s a Championship veteran with 272 appearances at this level, providing Wrexham with needed experience for their Championship campaign following their back-to-back promotions. So far this summer, Wrexham have let go of strikers Steven Fletcher and Paul Mullin, whilst bringing in Ryan Hardie from Plymouth.
Robinson definitely ticks the boxes for Wrexham’s recruitment this window, with 12 goals for a relegated Cardiff side, and would be a key signing to elevate Wrexham to higher positions within the Championship.
Not a bad effort from the AI, it picked up the type of player Wrexham are targeting and doesn’t seem a completely outrageous suggestion.
Realistic Rating: 8.5/10
Did AI Make The Right Choices?
Did AI make the right choices and was our ratings fair or unfair? Let us know in the comments below.
