8 Biggest Swap Deals in Football History

Swap deals often sound exciting in theory, with transfer gossip columns regularly speculating about imaginative player exchanges. However, when these deals actually happen, the clubs involved sometimes find themselves in a worse position than before.

Despite this, there have been notable swap deals where both players involved significantly advanced their careers. Recent high-profile swaps, such as those involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alexis Sanchez, Miralem Pjanic, and Arthur Melo, have not always been beneficial for the parties involved.

Still, there have been successful swap deals. With current rumors suggesting a potential swap between Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen, let’s take a look at some of the most impactful swap deals in history and highlight the winning side in each transaction.

1. Ashley Cole and William Gallas

Winner: Chelsea

In 2006, Chelsea signed Ashley Cole from Arsenal for £5 million, with William Gallas moving in the opposite direction. While Gallas eventually became Arsène Wenger’s captain, his tenure was marred by a notorious on-pitch tantrum following a disappointing draw with Birmingham in the 2007/08 season. This incident led to him losing the captaincy and, ultimately, joining Tottenham after falling out of favor at Arsenal.

In contrast, Cole’s career flourished at Chelsea. The England left-back established himself as one of the world’s top defenders, winning numerous trophies with the Blues, including the Champions League. His legacy at Stamford Bridge solidified his status as a club legend. It’s clear who came out on top in this swap deal.

2. Deco and Ricardo Quaresma

Winner: Barcelona

In the summer of 2004, Barcelona made a notable swap deal, trading Ricardo Quaresma to Porto and adding £13.2 million to the transaction for Deco. Quaresma, once regarded alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as a top young talent, struggled to make an impact at Barcelona and eventually returned to Portugal. His career faltered with two uninspiring seasons in the Primeira Liga before moving to Beşiktaş.

In contrast, Deco thrived at Barcelona, playing a pivotal role in their Champions League triumph. His influence was key in the midfield of a dominant Barcelona team that paved the way for future stars like Andrés Iniesta and Xavi. Deco’s success at Camp Nou clearly highlights the winning side of this swap deal.

3. Alexis Sanchez and Herinkh Mkhitaryan

Winner: Arsenal

Following their clear defeat in the Gallas-Cole swap, Arsenal managed to come out on top in a subsequent significant deal. In January 2018, Alexis Sánchez sought a move away from north London, with Manchester United eager to sign the Chilean. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was included in the deal as a makeweight.

Sánchez had been a standout performer at the Emirates but struggled to make an impact at United, scoring just five goals and reportedly earning £560,000 a week. On the other hand, Mkhitaryan, while not a game-changer for Arsène Wenger's squad, contributed nine goals and was on a considerably lower wage. This deal saw Arsenal gain the upper hand, with Mkhitaryan's more modest contributions proving a better fit for the club compared to Sánchez's underwhelming stint at Old Trafford.

4. David Luiz and Nemanja Matic

Winner: Chelsea

In an unusual turn of events, Nemanja Matic and David Luiz swapped clubs in 2011, only to later reunite at Stamford Bridge and win the Premier League together in their second stints with Chelsea. At the time of the trade, Matic was a relatively unknown young midfielder at Cobham, while Luiz was a highly sought-after centre-back in Europe.

Benfica did benefit from the deal, with Matic thriving during his three years in Portugal. Chelsea essentially used Benfica to develop Matic, bringing him back to the Premier League in 2014 when he was ready for top-flight competition. After a stint with Paris Saint-Germain, Luiz returned to Chelsea and played a key role in their Premier League triumph in 2017.

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5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o

Winner: Inter

It’s rare to see Pep Guardiola make a misstep, but his decision in the Samuel Eto'o-Zlatan Ibrahimovic swap might be an exception. Eto'o, who had been instrumental in Barcelona's 2009 Champions League victory, was exchanged for Ibrahimovic shortly after. In addition to the swap, Barcelona paid Inter Milan £35 million, a move that proved costly.

Eto'o went on to achieve considerable success with Inter Milan, winning the Champions League and several domestic titles. Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic's stint at Barcelona was marked by tension with Guardiola, leading to his departure to AC Milan after just one season. The Barcelona chapter was arguably the only blemish in Ibrahimovic’s otherwise stellar career.

6. Miralem Pjanic and Arthur Melo

Winner: Neither

Perhaps the most glaring example of why modern swap deals often fall short is the 2020 transfer involving Miralem Pjanic and Arthur Melo. Barcelona and Juventus orchestrated a deal where Pjanic joined the Catalan side and Arthur moved to Turin. Juventus technically paid £67 million for Arthur, while Pjanic was sold for £51 million—a high price tag that neither player lived up to.

Pjanic struggled at Barcelona, making only 30 appearances before becoming a free agent after spending two years in the UAE. Arthur, on the other hand, has made just 42 Serie A appearances for Juventus, failing to become a regular starter and now finds himself surplus to requirements at the club but still under contract. This deal underscores how swap trades can often lead to disappointing returns for all parties involved.

7. Jermaine Defoe and Bobby Zamora

Winner: Tottenham

After West Ham's relegation from the Premier League in 2003, Jermaine Defoe was widely expected to leave east London, having netted eight league goals that season. However, it wasn't until the following year that Tottenham made their move, offering £7 million plus Bobby Zamora in a deal that proved beneficial for both clubs.

In a rare example of a successful player exchange, Defoe went on to score 143 goals across two stints at Spurs, becoming the club's seventh-highest all-time scorer. Meanwhile, Zamora played a crucial role for West Ham, scoring the decisive goal in the Championship Play-Off Final in 2005, which secured the Hammers' return to the Premier League.

8. Julio Baptista and Jose Antonio Reyes

Winner: Real Madrid

In a rare instance of a temporary swap deal, Arsenal and Real Madrid exchanged José Antonio Reyes and Julio Baptista for the 2006/07 season. The arrangement proved beneficial for both clubs. Reyes, who joined Madrid on loan, scored seven goals from the wing and helped Los Blancos secure the La Liga title.

On the other hand, Baptista, brought in to provide backup for Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, managed to score ten goals across all competitions for Arsenal. His standout moment came in the League Cup, where he scored four goals and missed a penalty in Arsenal’s 6-3 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, an achievement reminiscent of Andrei Arshavin's four-goal performance two years later.

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