Game: Make the best Transfer Swap you can

[NoPace]

There's rumours that with teams not having money to spend but still holes to fill there will be more swaps than normal.

Rules:

1. If you include money, specify how much. For simplicity sake let's say transfer prices are down 25%, like a guy we think of as selling for 10M is now worth 7.5M after the Corona recession

Criteria

1. Think of how managers fit players in, if you have a small #10 going to Palace to play for Hodgson like Max Meyer and his agents thought, that's not smart. The goal here is for both teams to be better after the swap, or at least one team better and one team no worse off but with some extra cash.

 

[Pexbo]

Lingard for Sancho and Dortmund give us £350m on top and pay his wages for 5 years.

What do I win?

 

[Infordin]

Dybala for Isco would improve both Juventus and Real Madrid

 

[DWelbz19]

Kind of tricky, actually. There’s definitely a few but my mind has gone blank.

Coutinho to Arsenal
Aubameyang to Barcelona

Give Coutinho that freedom of being the main man in a PL side again and he’ll probably thrive. Barcelona get a top class forward who will get very strong numbers for a few years and will stretch teams for Messi to ping over the top.

 

[DVG7]

Thiago alcantara for leroy sane.

 

[DWelbz19]

If you can find a worthwhile swap for Kante he’s a shout. A phenomenal player who it seems doesn’t truly fit Lampard’s system/the system isn’t getting the best out of him.

 

[Bullhitter]

Kante to Real Madrid with Hazard and Jovic coming the other way. No money involved.

 

[paraguayo]

Madrid get Pogba we get Achraf, Odegaard

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Madrid get Pogba we get Achraf, Odegaard

that’s beyond terrible.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Slightly out there thinking.

Swap Smalling for Xhaka

Arsenal need a decent solid defender, we need a specialist DM. Neither are superstars, but we need a midfielder and have an excess of centre backs.

 

[paraguayo]

that’s beyond terrible.

For whom?

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Swap Smalling for Xhaka

Arsenal need a decent solid defender, we need a specialist DM.

I mean.. that's hoping too much.

Rather have Pereira and Garner playing.

 

[duffer]

If you can find a worthwhile swap for Kante he’s a shout. A phenomenal player who it seems doesn’t truly fit Lampard’s system/the system isn’t getting the best out of him.

De Gea?

 

[harms]

Slightly out there thinking.

Swap Smalling for Xhaka

Arsenal need a decent solid defender, we need a specialist DM. Neither are superstars, but we need a midfielder and have an excess of centre backs.

Xhaka's (relative) strengths are his long passing and shooting, he's not a specialist DM that we need and he's worse than our own options for this role.

 

[Zlatattack]

Kind of tricky, actually. There’s definitely a few but my mind has gone blank.

Coutinho to Arsenal
Aubameyang to Barcelona

Give Coutinho that freedom of being the main man in a PL side again and he’ll probably thrive. Barcelona get a top class forward who will get very strong numbers for a few years and will stretch teams for Messi to ping over the top.

Where does Ozil fit into that Arsenal side?

 

[harms]

De Gea?

On current form Fred is better than Kanté. Of course, Kanté isn't suited for Lampard's football (nor was he suited for Sarriball either), but even individually he's been worse than he was at Leicester or in his first year at Chelsea. And with players that rely on their engine so much, there's always a concern about their mileage — it's possible that he'll return to his best in a more suited system (and he'll be better than Fred), but it's also possible that his body had given it all and he won't be able to maintain his insane tempo anymore. Sanchez is a good example of a similar-ish situation, despite his role being different — he was also a live wire at his best and everyone thought that his only issue was his motivation... until it was obvious that the issue was deeper.

To be fair, the same can be said about De Gea, and it sounds like an interesting deal for both parties.

 

[Buchan]

that’s beyond terrible.

 

[P-Nut]

Kane for Kante. Instantly improves Chelsea and Kane wants to go anyway, getting a player like Kante in return is more than Spurs could ever hope for.

 

[Bullhitter]

De Gea?

You only held the craziest post in the thread title for two posts and then a United fan came and trumped you by seemingly trying to intimate they would/should reject the offer.

 

[Remember the geese]

Kane for Kante. Instantly improves Chelsea and Kane wants to go anyway, getting a player like Kante in return is more than Spurs could ever hope for.

Would be a disasterous deal for Spurs.

 

[Zlatattack]

You only held the craziest post in the thread title for two posts and then a United fan came and trumped you by seemingly trying to intimate they would/should reject the offer.

I wonder if Leicester would take some of our rubbish for Ndidi?

 

[Bastian]

Lingard for Bellingham

 

[Web of Bissaka]

This is really a challenging game, cause you need to consider best of both worlds.

1. Smalling (United) <--> Doucoure (Watford)

We get extra central midfielder -- a good squad player (total 6 CMS now for 3 positions/game), better than Pereira. And they get a good CB with a good aerial threat in set-piece. Convincing Smalling is difficult here, but he just may if we refuse to sell him to Roma and he wanted to make a last push to get into the England NT.

2. Henderson (United) <--> Diop (West Ham)

Let's face it, is he going to be convinced United willing to give him a chance? doubt it. High chance he's leaving in the future. Best we could for is to get a promising young player in return, and our CB lacks depth considering only Maguire and Lindelof the pure reliable CBs who can be available. Doubt West Ham will pass onto the opportunity considering Dean may fetch a ridiculous high price in the future if they're selling him... or not.

***
I tried thinking current swap negotiations between top clubs... and can't think of any. The Mkhi <--> Sanchez were probably the last time this can reasonably happen. Were there other real examples?

EDIT: Maybe Bale (Real) <--> Mbappe (PSG), but I don't think feel confident that deal will go through and doubt Mbappe is leaving PSG. Would PSG even want Bale? doubt it. Maybe Zidane willing to get Cavani instead? Idk.

 

[DWelbz19]

Where does Ozil fit into that Arsenal side?

Bench. He’s no longer got the beans, let’s be real.

 

[Robertd0803]

Coutinho to Arsenal
Aubameyang to Barcelona

This is a good one.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Fun thread.

I think realistic elements especially from the players' perspectives should be considered.
Eg. doubt Coutinho willing to join Arsenal.

But of course, we can never know for sure. Anything can happen.

 

[P-Nut]

Would be a disasterous deal for Spurs.

They. Urrently have Dier, Ndombele and winks as their DM options, the rise in quality in that position would be huge.

 

[V.O.]

Icardi to Barca
Griezmann to Inter

Barca get an actual 9 to replace Suarez for a few years if they're willing to deal with the drama.

Griezmann getting back to playing as one of two up in a counter-attacking system could kick Inter on a level. Also allows them to potentially cash in on Martinez if they feel the need to.

 

[NoPace]

If you can find a worthwhile swap for Kante he’s a shout. A phenomenal player who it seems doesn’t truly fit Lampard’s system/the system isn’t getting the best out of him.

Kante for Aubameyang and 20M would probably make both teams better. Chelsea get a proper goalscorer to start and let Abraham be the backup, sell Giroud and Batshuayi and you've got enough money to buy Chilwell or whoever else they want.

Arsenal would have a good midfield for the first time since Fabregas-Flamini were a nice partnership. Torreira seems to want to leave, would recoup a decent fee and Kante-Xhaka looks a good partnership.

 

[NoPace]

Icardi to Barca
Griezmann to Inter

Barca get an actual 9 to replace Suarez for a few years if they're willing to deal with the drama.

Griezmann getting back to playing as one of two up in a counter-attacking system could kick Inter on a level. Also allows them to potentially cash in on Martinez if they feel the need to.

Griezmann and some cash for Lautaro might just happen in real life. He'd be great at Inter in a front 2 you're right, and I guess they love Lautaro at Barca. Don't think they think Icardi has enough to his game.

Lot of right-footed strikers who could play as a 9 or LW getting on the end of Messi's passes and crosses that would make sense swapped for Griezmann. If it was a one year loan swap, for instance, both United and Barca would be better off with Rashford for Griezmann next year I think, from a purely football/tactical perspective.

Icardi to Chelsea for [Irrelevant point] (or even Emerson) and cash or another player (Ampadu is best as a back 3 kind of sweeper which Conte might want?) makes sense too.

 

[NoPace]

Fun thread.

I think realistic elements especially from the players' perspectives should be considered.
Eg. doubt Coutinho willing to join Arsenal.

But of course, we can never know for sure. Anything can happen.

Why wouldn't Coutinho join Arsenal? Playing time, big club, big city, young manager who worked under Pep to sell him on it, has already played in England. Is there a better place for him to swan around as a #10? Maybe Napoli or Roma I guess?

 

[Remember the geese]

They. Urrently have Dier, Ndombele and winks as their DM options, the rise in quality in that position would be huge.

The problem is probably at my end. I view Kane as a £100m+ player and Kante at about half of that. I see that someone else has proposed Aubameyang and money for Kante. I clearly just don't rate him as highly as others.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Lingard for Bellingham

Good deal. Both clubs get a player who's young and learning.

 

[tenpoless]

Matic to Tottenham so Jose can play his most trusted soldier in midfield,
Son to ManUtd and play as a Right Winger

Because Matic is a priceless player for Jose, We don't talk about money

 

[Infordin]

Griezmann for Hazard

Real Madrid get a player that specializes in scoring goals
Barcelona get an actual LW to replace Neymar

 

[NoPace]

Griezmann for Hazard

Real Madrid get a player that specializes in scoring goals
Barcelona get an actual LW to replace Neymar

Definitely makes sense for Barca, but I have no idea what Madrid are thinking going forward. Read a blog by one of their fans that had their performers for this season ranked from 1-5 as Casemiro, Courtois, Varane, Kroos and Valverde and I know Mendy and Eder Militao had promising debut seasons and Jovic a bad one and Hakimi, Odriozala and Carvajal are all around for next year at RB, so I expect them to spend big on attack.

My guess is the Mbappe rumours will be right, but that doesn't really tell me whether they'd be better off with Hazard at LW or Griezmann at RW but really in a fluid front 3.

 

[NoPace]

Matic to Tottenham so Jose can play his most trusted soldier in midfield,
Son to ManUtd and play as a Right Winger

Because Matic is a priceless player for Jose, We don't talk about money

I thought Lo Celso might not be a Mourinho favorite and he'd be great here fighting for 2 spots with Bruno and Fred if Pogba does leave, and we could send back Matic and 30M or whatever, but it seems unlikely.

 

[NoPace]

One swap I actually could see happening if we spend a bunch is Grealish for like 40M and a year or even 2 year loan of Tuanzebe, who did well at Villa as Mings' partner. Tuanzebe gets to start for another year, either in a relegation fight in the Prem or promotion campaign in the Champo and we sign a starting CB to pair with Maguire, can even be a guy in his late 20s if the money makes sense and he's a genuine upgrade. Let's say Napoli need cash after Corona and will take 55M for Koulibaly.

Lindelof and Bailly are the backups and we sell Smalling, Jones and Rojo. Can bring back Tuanzebe then when he's ready to challenge for a starting spot and presumably one of Lindelof or Bailly wants out to be a starter somewhere anyways and we can sell that player for 20M or so with the market having rebounded a bit.

2020-21: Koulibaly, Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly
2021-22: Koulibaly, Maguire, Lindelof or Bailly, Tuanzebe

 

[Baneofthegame]

Kind of tricky, actually. There’s definitely a few but my mind has gone blank.

Coutinho to Arsenal
Aubameyang to Barcelona

Give Coutinho that freedom of being the main man in a PL side again and he’ll probably thrive. Barcelona get a top class forward who will get very strong numbers for a few years and will stretch teams for Messi to ping over the top.

Think this is the best one in the entire thread.

Griezmann + Coutinho for Neymar
Sane for Sancho

 

[NoPace]

This is really a challenging game, cause you need to consider best of both worlds.

1. Smalling (United) <--> Doucoure (Watford)

We get extra central midfielder -- a good squad player (total 6 CMS now for 3 positions/game), better than Pereira. And they get a good CB with a good aerial threat in set-piece. Convincing Smalling is difficult here, but he just may if we refuse to sell him to Roma and he wanted to make a last push to get into the England NT.

2. Henderson (United) <--> Diop (West Ham)

Let's face it, is he going to be convinced United willing to give him a chance? doubt it. High chance he's leaving in the future. Best we could for is to get a promising young player in return, and our CB lacks depth considering only Maguire and Lindelof the pure reliable CBs who can be available. Doubt West Ham will pass onto the opportunity considering Dean may fetch a ridiculous high price in the future if they're selling him... or not.

***
I tried thinking current swap negotiations between top clubs... and can't think of any. The Mkhi <--> Sanchez were probably the last time this can reasonably happen. Were there other real examples?

EDIT: Maybe Bale (Real) <--> Mbappe (PSG), but I don't think feel confident that deal will go through and doubt Mbappe is leaving PSG. Would PSG even want Bale? doubt it. Maybe Zidane willing to get Cavani instead? Idk.

1. Don't see Smalling agreeing to it and don't think Doucoure is creative enough to help us more than Fred as a #8 next to Bruno, or can pass well enough to be a great #6. Looking at Watford did make me think that if they don't go down maybe we should just loan Dalot there next year if we buy a LB and Williams can be the backup RB? They played Mariappa there and he was game, but he's not a Prem quality RB and Dalot would be an upgrade for them.

2. I like this one. Henderson may want a permanent move after seeing Pickford feck up Euro 2021 and it's unclear if Moyes rates Diop. Bet he'd love a young British talent too.

Also worth considering Fornals as a backup #10 type if Pogba leaves and we buy a DM like Partey and just start Bruno-Fred-Partey with McTominay around as backup. He's creative and works hard, couple Spanish caps and while he doesn't score goals he's 24 and did well under Pellegrini. Not sure who Moyes would want. He did play Phil Jones a lot so maybe Jones + 5M for Fornals would suit both clubs and players. I can't watch Lingard or Pereira any longer.