FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggests that transfer fees could be decided by a COMPUTER ALGORITHM instead of clubs to increase transparency

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed that transfer fees could be determined by a computer algorithm rather than clubs in the future.

Infantino says that using a computer algorithm would lead to increased transparency in the transfer market. 

Speaking at FIFA’s law conference in Tokyo, Infantino said: ‘Now more than ever it is fundamental for us to talk about these and other topics.

‘For example, to discuss about the possibility to use an algorithm to estimate the fair value of transfer fees in order to increase transparency in the transfer system and help the football stakeholders.’ 

It was a very quiet January transfer window, with many Premier League clubs not making a single major signing. 

Chelsea paid £115m for Moises Caicedo but Infantino’s plans could alter how fees are set

However, many recent transfer windows have seen significant fees spent, with Chelsea for example having often bought in players for large amounts.

Enzo Fernandez cost £106.8million when he signed for Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023, while last summer Moises Caicedo joined the Blues for £115million from Brighton.

Arsenal also spent £105m to sign England international Declan Rice from West Ham.

In contrast, the biggest deal of the January transfer window involving Premier League clubs saw Tottenham sign defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £25million.

The world record transfer remains Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for £198million. 

It remains to be seen whether Infantino’s suggestion will be implemented or indeed whether it would be effective but if it did happen it would represent a significant change for the transfer market.

Tottenham’s £26m signing of Radu Dragusin was the biggest Premier League deal in January