Comparisonator CEO K. Tarkan Batgun and K. Beerschot V.A. Chief Scout Dehan Ögetbil discussed the differences between summer and winter transfer windows, winter transfer case studies, scouting methods, and short-term transfer risks.
Comparisonator CEO K. Tarkan Batgun and K. Beerschot V.A. Chief Scout Dehan Ögetbil took part in a panel at the Deal Done Serbia event, where they discussed the key differences between the summer and winter transfer windows, shared case studies on winter transfers, explored effective ways to scout suitable targets, and addressed the risks associated with short-term player acquisitions.
The panel discussion focused on how football scouting and recruitment had evolved under the pressure of time, competition, and rapidly advancing technology with Comparisonator. Speakers emphasized that traditional scouting instincts were no longer enough on their own.
Tarkan Batgün said, “Scouting today is not about choosing between eyes or data, but about connecting them.” The conversation highlighted how clubs increasingly relied on structured processes where live observation, video, and data analysis worked together to reduce risk and improve decision quality.
A major theme of the discussion was the role of technology—especially AI and data platforms—in supporting smarter recruitment decisions. Rather than replacing scouts, technology was described as a way to sharpen focus and save time.
Dehan Ogetbil explained that “technology does not make decisions for you, but it helps you ask better questions.” The panel stressed that data needed proper context, warning that numbers without football understanding could easily be misleading.
Successful clubs, they argued, were those that knew how to interpret data within tactical, physical, and cultural frameworks.
Finally, the panel addressed the human side of scouting and transfers, particularly during high-pressure periods like the winter window. Trust, communication, and shared vision between scouts, analysts, coaches, and directors were repeatedly underlined.
Tarkan Batgün added, “The best recruitment decisions happen when everyone speaks the same football language.” The discussion concluded with a clear message: the future of scouting belonged to organizations that combined experience, technology, and collaboration—turning limited timeframes into strategic advantages rather than constraints.
Click here to watch the panel video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCof5ecZdHg
