Crystal Palace and Everton have completed a player swap deal with Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil switching clubs on four-year contracts. Both players signed four-year contracts at their new teams as the Premier League clubs completed the rare player trade.
The transaction joins a list of high-profile player swaps in football history, including major moves involving Samuel Eto'o, Alexis Sanchez, and Fabio Cannavaro.
Eto'o and Ibrahimovic Swap Strikers in 2009
In 2009, Inter Milan and Barcelona agreed a deal to swap two of the world's top strikers, Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Barcelona paid £46 million to Inter Milan and sent Eto'o to the Italian club. Eto'o had scored in Barcelona's Champions League final victory against Manchester United the previous season.
Eto'o went on to win the Champions League again under manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. Ibrahimovic remained at Barcelona for only one season after struggling to adapt tactically alongside Lionel Messi and falling out with manager Pep Guardiola. Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals and helped Barcelona win the LaLiga title before joining AC Milan on loan the following season.
Sanchez Joins Manchester United in 2018
In January 2018, Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez left Arsenal for Manchester United after a long contractual dispute with the Arsenal board. Arsenal allowed Sanchez to run down his contract and choose his next club. Sanchez originally wanted to join Manchester City, but they refused to pay the £400,000-a-week salary offered by Manchester United.
Arsenal received midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of the trade while Sanchez had six months left on his deal. Arsenal fans feared losing Sanchez to a rival, but the forward failed to deliver at Old Trafford.
Cole and Gallas Switch Clubs in 2006
Following Arsenal's 2006 Champions League final defeat, left-back Ashley Cole moved from north London to Chelsea after discussions with manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho met Cole in a hotel and offered to double his wages. Cole's agent informed him of Arsenal's contract offer, which Cole said caused him to nearly crash his car when he heard the terms.
Cole had one year left on his contract, prompting Chelsea to pay £5 million and include left-back William Gallas in the deal. Gallas had his best playing years behind him. Cole won every major trophy with Chelsea, while Gallas had a turbulent spell at Arsenal where he was appointed captain and later stripped of the role before joining Tottenham Hotspur.
Arthur Melo and Pjanic Financial Trade
In 2020, following the lockdown period, Juventus and Barcelona faced financial difficulties and structured a player swap. Both clubs paid high fees for each player to present improved balance sheets to governing bodies.
Arthur Melo was a young Brazilian player unable to secure a regular starting place, while Miralem Pjanic was an aging Serie A midfielder. Juventus paid £72 million for Melo, who was valued at roughly half that figure, and Barcelona spent £60 million on Pjanic, who suffered from injuries. Neither set of supporters was satisfied with the deal, which produced no clear winner.
Defoe Moves to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004
In the summer of 2004, striker Jermaine Defoe was outgrowing West Ham United after developing through the club's academy. Newly appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol identified Defoe as his target for the center-forward position and organized a deal.
Tottenham paid £7 million to West Ham and transferred young striker Bobby Zamora in exchange. Zamora had arrived from Brighton as a promising prospect but struggled at White Hart Lane. Defoe went on to score more than 100 goals for Tottenham Hotspur. Zamora scored 36 goals in 151 appearances for West Ham, including the winning goal in the 2005 Championship play-off final to secure Premier League promotion.
Three Clubs Complete Triple Swap in 2018
In January 2018, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Borussia Dortmund completed a rare triple-player swap. Arsenal needed a replacement for Sanchez, Michy Batshuayi was seeking playing time at Chelsea, and Olivier Giroud was preparing to leave Arsenal.
Batshuayi joined Borussia Dortmund on loan and scored seven goals in 10 appearances at minimal cost to the German club. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved to Arsenal, where he won the Premier League golden boot during the 2018-19 season. Giroud joined Chelsea and won the Europa League, FA Cup, and Champions League. All three teams expressed satisfaction with the trades.
Deco and Quaresma Exchange in 2004
In 2004, midfielder Deco attracted interest from top European clubs after winning the player of the tournament award in Porto's Champions League triumph. Jose Mourinho attempted to sign Deco for Chelsea alongside Porto teammates Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, but Deco chose Barcelona.
Barcelona included young winger Ricardo Quaresma in the agreement to complete the transfer with Porto. Both players succeeded at their new clubs, with Deco winning the Champions League at Barcelona and Quaresma enjoying strong seasons in Portugal. Both players later played together at Chelsea.
Cannavaro and Carini Trade in 2004
In 2004, Inter Milan sought a goalkeeper and traded defender Fabio Cannavaro to Juventus for Uruguayan goalkeeper Fabio Carini. Carini was a highly rated prospect but lacked senior achievements.
Two years after the trade, Cannavaro captained Italy to victory in the World Cup and won the Ballon d'Or. Carini made four appearances during his entire career at Inter Milan, making the trade one of the worst in football history.
Andy Cole Joins Manchester United in 1995
In 1995, Newcastle United sold English striker Andy Cole after failing to win the Premier League under manager Kevin Keegan. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson signed Cole for £6 million plus winger Keith Gillespie.
Cole won every major domestic and European trophy with Manchester United. Gillespie experienced the opposite outcome at Newcastle United.
Cancelo and Danilo Swap Defenders in 2019
In 2019, Manchester City traded defender Danilo to Juventus to sign Joao Cancelo. Cancelo had completed a successful first season in Italy, while Danilo was slowing down after winning Premier League titles with Manchester City in 2018 and 2019.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola utilized Cancelo at both right-back and left-back as the player won multiple trophies and earned a place in the 2022 FIFA Team of the Year. Danilo won the Serie A Scudetto in his first season at Juventus and made 156 appearances over six years.
