WITH Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner confirming that clubs will partake in swap deals this summer, you can expect a number of signings to happen without money swapping hands.
The Blaugrana chief explained how teams don’t have the financial muscle they had prior to the coronavirus pandemic bringing a halt to football, which will lead to some crazy negotiations.
Could Luis Suarez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang be involved in a swap deal in the summer?
And with a host of players entering their last year of their contracts, they could be used in such deals to avoid losing them on a free contract.
Here, SunSport runs down ten possible swap deals that would make sense for all involved.
1. Miralem Pjanic and Douglas Costa for Paul Pogba
It has been widely reported that Juventus are keen on luring the Manchester United midfielder back to Turin.
And Italian media have claimed that Pjanic and Costa could be used in the deal, with the Bosnian midfielder seen as an ideal replacement for the French World Cup winner.
And Brazilian winger Costa could be seen as an attractive option for the Red Devils should they fail to nab Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
2. Samuel Umtiti and Nelson Semedo for Tanguy Ndombele
With Barca said to be interested in the Spurs midfielder, and with the club having limited funds available, a swap deal seems the most likely outcome.
Umtiti would provide competition with Toby Alderweireld, and Semedo would come in as the No1 choice right-back with Serge Aurier already facing an uncertain future.
3. Luka Jovic for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal are believed to have accepted the fact that their star skipper will not sign a new deal, with all signs pointing towards a summer exit.
And with Real Madrid keen on him, it makes sense for Los Blancos’ misfiring Jovic to head in the opposite direction.
Tanguy NDombele could be ready to quit Spurs with Barcelona eyeing up a moveCredit: Reuters
4. Luis Suarez for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Barcelona are also said to be interested in luring the Gabon international to Spain as they search for a replacement for the ageing Suarez.
The Gunners failed for a move for the Uruguayan striker in 2013 with their infamous £40million plus £1 bid, and seven years later, they could finally get their man.
5. Raphael Varane for Sadio Mane
The Senegal international is alleged to be desperate to make the switch to the Bernabeu, with Real being the only club he would leave Liverpool for.
But with the Reds not wanting to part ways with Mane, Madrid will have to offer a player in the calibre of Varane to even tempt the Merseyside club into accepting.
6. Philippe Coutinho for N’Golo Kante
Barcelona are known to be keen on offloading the Brazilian playmaker in the summer following his failed spell in Catalonia.
And Spanish media have already claimed that they are admirers of Kante, and will look to bring the Frenchman to the Nou Camp by offering Coutinho.
7. Jadon Sancho for Mason Greenwood
With Sancho understood to be United’s No 1 target, they could be forced into offering the teenage starlet in a deal to tempt BVB.
It has been alleged that Dortmund want Greenwood involved in negotiations, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are unwilling to part ways with Greenwood.
8. Victor Moses and Olivier Giroud for Lautaro Martinez
Chelsea are in the market for a new striker, and Argentinian ace Martinez will certainly be on Frank Lampard’s radar.
Inter boss Antonio Conte is keen for a reunion with Giroud, while Moses is already on loan at Inter. Hard not to see Chelsea having to offer some money as well in this deal.
Philippe Coutinho could be heading back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
9. Jorginho for Aaron Ramsey
Another Chelsea player that could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge is midfielder Jorginho, with Maurizio Sarri remaining a huge fan of the Brazilian-born Italy international.
Despite Ramsey only leaving the Premier League last year, it remains to be seen whether he would be open to a move back to England so soon.
10. Ousmane Dembele for Alexandre Lacazette
With Arsenal weighing up a move for Dembele, and Barca interested in Lacazette, a swap deal makes perfect sense.
Lacazette hasn’t been in great form this season, and had found himself on the bench in the games before the Premier League was halted, with Eddie Nketiah chosen by Mikel Arteta to lead the line.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
