Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Monday, 05 January 2026, 22:48 / Updated on Monday, 05 January 2026 22:48
Basarab Panduru (55 years old), former Romanian international and current TV analyst, reacted immediately after Gigi Becali announced that he would like to send Tavi Popescu on loan to Al Okhdood, the team where Marius Șumudică was confirmed as coach.
Basarab Panduru is of the opinion that Marius Șumudică is resorting to this move to help Octavian Popescu, a footballer who seems stuck at FCSB.
Basarab Panduru reacted after Becali announced that he was sending Tavi on loan to Şumudica's team: “I think he is giving him a helping hand at this moment”
“I think that if Şumudică takes Octavian Popescu, he wants to put him in. It's good that a coach wants him, someone will give you a million or two. For these 6 months with Şumudică it would be good for him. I think it's good for him to go. I think that Şumudică is giving him a helping hand at this moment.
Şumudică helps Octavian Popescu, not Octavian Popescu helps Şumudică. The hope is that you are in Saudi Arabia, you can take a player. I looked over the lot, it's worth 10 million euros (no according to Transfermarkt). You help Octavian Popescu, not Octavian Popescu you,” Basarab Panduru said, according to orangesport.ro.
-
Al Okhdood, the team with which Marius Șumudică signed, is in penultimate place in the first league in Saudi Arabia. The formation with which the Romanian signed has accumulated 5 points in 12 stages.
He quietly asked me about Thiam and another player. They said de Thiam, they need a strong player. Yesterday “Pantera” (former footballer Cătălin Liță) called me for Thiam and told me that they want to take George (no Octavian) Popescu. Well, take him, but talk to him if he wants to go, until the summer, 6 months. There they need a marriage certificate. If he is not married, he is not allowed to live with his girlfriend in the same house
–Gigi Becali about the departure of Tavi Popescu loan
Tavi Popescu would be at his first experience outside the borders of Romania. He has 207 matches at FCSB and has scored 25 goals and provided 25 assists. This season the left wing did not find the net, although he played in 22 matches. He has 2 assists. It is quoted by specialized websites at 850,000 euros.
