Swap trading has risen in importance in world football over the past few years, whereas before that, swap trading was relatively rare. Whether it's a simple player swap or involves money to make up the difference, players in the trade need to meet two transfers at the same time. The most notable deal over the past few seasons has been a swap trade between Juventus' Pjanic and Barcelona's Artur. While the success of the deal remains to be seen, the swap has undoubtedly caused memories of the past.
10. Andy Cole and Gillespi (Newcastle and Manchester United, 1995)
Andy Cole may not be considered one of the greatest members of United's treble team, but the striker's goal has undoubtedly helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side tremendously during his six-year career with the Red Devils. He brought Newcastle into the ranks of Premier League title challengers while at St James' Park, but when Kevin Keegan's side stalled, Kerr decided to find his new team, an important part of United's success in the late '90s. The contrast is £6m and Gillespi, and while the Northern Irish star isn't lazy, the winger isn't always the winner of the game like Cole. The transfer was worth £7 million, the highest on record in the UK at the time.
9. Roberto Carlos and Ivan Zamorano (Inter and Real Madrid, 1996)
When Carlos and Inter Milan coach Hodgson argued over his place, Real Madrid's Capello could hardly believe his luck. Capello quickly asked Real Madrid's directors to travel to Milan to complete the deal, and it happened that Inter was also interested in Real Madrid striker Ivan Zamorano. Zamorano performed well in Madrid, but Carlos' potential was clear, so the deal was closed. The Brazilian then spent 11 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, making 584 appearances.
8. Francisco Koko and Seedorf (AC Milan and Inter Milan, 2002)
Francisco Coco has been touted in Milan as a long-term successor to left-back Paulo Maldini, but although the defender has shown some talent early in his career, playing in many Italian national team matches, he has faded out of the historical context. In a trade, he was used as a bargaining chip for Dutch great midfielder Seedorf to swap Inter's black and blue shirt for Milan's red and black shirt. As an all-round midfielder, Seedorf has previously played more than 100 league games at Real Madrid, but he had his best time with the Rossoneri. During Milan's illustrious 10-year career, Seedorf represented Milan in 300 Serie A matches, and he even made a brief comeback to coach after ending his career in 2014. Milan have clearly prevailed in the €28 million deal.
7. Decaux and Quaresma (Porto and Barcelona, 2004)
In the summer of 2004, Deco had just won the Champions League at Porto and he was named the best midfielder of the season. After that, he joined Barcelona. Chelsea were considered the front-runners for his signing when Jose Mourinho tried to take him from Porto to Stamford Bridge, but the La Liga giants eventually signed him. Barca's offer at the time was several million euros lower than Porto had expected, so they added Quaresma to the deal, where he achieved little in his short career at Camp Nou.
6. Dufoe and Zamora (West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur, 2004)
If the January transfer window has lost interest and important deals in recent seasons, that was not the case back in 2004, when Defoe joined Tottenham for £7m and Zamora moved to West Ham. Defoe has since scored 101 Premier League goals for Tottenham in three different periods, but he remains a relative newcomer at that point, despite two seasons of top-flight experience with the Hammers. Spurs got better results, and although Zamora still scored 30 league goals at Upton Park, he never cashed in on his talent at Brighton.
5. Cannavaro and Carini (Inter Milan and Juventus, 2004)
Remember Carini? Probably not. In Cannavaro's 2004 trade from Inter Milan to Juventus, the substitute goalkeeper was an underappreciated chip. Carini has only made four appearances in his three-year career at Inter, but Cannavaro has left a valuable legacy that has made him one of the greatest defenders in history. Two years after his loan deal, he became the star of 2006 World Cup winner Italy, paving the way for a move to Real Madrid, though his situation was not glamorous due to a phone-gate scandal.
4. Ashley Cole and Gala (Arsenal and Chelsea, 2006)
Ashley Cole's seven-year career at Arsenal proved him to be one of the best players to emerge from Arsenal's academy. He won two Premier League titles and two FA Cup titles for the club, but he was hated among Arsenal fans after he defected to rival Chelsea. It's not just because he's joined Arsenal's city rivals, but he's clearly doing it for money, which has left him with an age-old stigma. When the transfer fee could not be agreed, Chelsea joined Gala, which was enough to facilitate the deal.
3. Ibrahimovic and Eto'o (Inter Milan and Barcelona, 2009)
The most famous exchange deal of all time could have happened in 2009, when Barca paid €46 million plus prolific striker Eto'o just to get Inter Milan superstar Ibrahimovic to play for the team. Eto'o has been outstanding in Barcelona, scoring a goal in the Champions League final victory over Manchester United just a few months ago. But Guardiola wanted another style, the No. 9, which seemed like a perfect choice when Ibrahimović was the target. However, Eto'o won the Treble at Inter Milan and Ibrahimovic had a tough time at Camp Nou after falling out with Guardiola, joining Milan in just one season.
2. Nemanja Matic and David Luiz (Chelsea and Benfica, 2011)
Nemanja Matic's first time at Chelsea is easily forgotten. The Serbian midfielder has only made a few appearances for the Blues since coming to the Blues in his early 20s, but Benfica saw plenty of opportunities for him to join in a deal that allowed centre-back David Luiz to move to Stamford Bridge for €25 million. Matic was transformed in Benfica. Instead of being a centre-back, he became now known as a defensive midfielder and was eventually sold back to Chelsea in 2013 for €25 million – effectively double the price they used him to offset. Both players spent important careers at Stamford Bridge.
1. Sanchez and Mkhitaryan (Arsenal and Manchester United, 2018)
Sanchez was a superstar during his time at Arsenal, but like many before him, including Henry and Van Persie, he eventually sought to leave in an attempt to win the league title. Unfortunately for him, his transfer proved to be one of the most disastrous acquisitions in United's recent history, as despite his hefty salary of £500,000 a week, his performance was far from impressive. The Red Devils, in order to reduce their losses, allowed him to join Inter Milan for free. On the other hand, Mkhitaryan's performance at Arsenal has not been very good, although the deal took place in the not-too-distant 2018, but both players are now continuing their careers in Serie A.