Raheem Sterling has refused to sign a new contract, and consequently could be on his way out the Anfield door this summer. He has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, but we will allegedly only sanction the switch if Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott move in the other direction, according to ESPN.
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It would be a shame to see Sterling leave, but there is no point in forcing a player to stay when he doesn’t love the club and doesn’t want to be here. Walcott has shown in recent weeks the quality he possesses, and we could end up getting the better side of the deal.
It isn’t always immediately clear who is getting the raw end of a swap deal, but more often than not it quickly becomes apparent.
With that in mind, here are eight of the biggest swap deals in football, plus the winners and losers from the exchanges:
Benfica – David Luiz for Nemanja Matic – Chelsea
Back in 2011, Chelsea brought Brazilian’s loose cannon defender David Luiz to Stamford Bridge from Benfica. The deal coast them around £21m, with Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic included as well.
Benfica certainly fared better in this deal, as they sold Matic back to Chelsea for £21m three years later.
Chelsea didn’t do too badly though, as they somehow managed to offload Luiz to PSG for £50m – a prime example of what happens when you have more money than sense.
Arsenal – Ashley Cole for William Gallas – Chelsea
The Gunners were left kicking themselves after letting one of football’s best left-backs join Chelsea, especially as all they got in return was £5m and an ageing William Gallas.
Cole went on to be a rock in the Chelsea defence, while Gallas proved a liability and a disruptive presence in the Arsenal dressing room.
Liverpool – Michael Owen for Antonio Nunez – Real Madrid
Neither team really got anything out of this deal, as both players endured injury hit seasons at their respective new clubs.
Michael Owen returned to the Premier League to join Newcastle United the following season, while Nunez headed back to Spain with Celta Vigo.
The England international was fantastic during his time with us, but we arguably got rid of him at the right time. He was never the same player following his departure, and it’s just a shame we didn’t get more from the deal.
Inter – Andrea Pirlo for Andres Guglielminpietro – AC Milan
Any team that let Andrea Pirlo go must be crazy, especially parting with cash as well in order to bring Andres Guglielminpietro the other way.
The Argentine faded into obscurity at Inter, while Pirlo blossomed into one of the finest midfielders football has ever seen.
Inter – Clarence Seedorf for Francesco Coco – AC Milan
The same two teams involved again, with Inter Milan once again getting a raw deal.
Coco spent most of his time sidelined with injury or out on loan, while Seedorf became a legend at Milan – following Pirlo across the San Siro divide.
Newcastle – Andy Cole for Kieth Gillespie – Manchester United
How this deal ever went through was a mystery, and nobody was surprised by the outcome. Cole formed a lethal partnership with Dwight Yorke at Old Trafford, and is to this day a Premier League legend.
Gillespie was a decent servant for Newcastle United, but never really set St James’ park alight with his performances.
Inter – Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Samuel Eto’o – Barcelona
One of Inter Milan’s few successful swap deals, but what a success it was.
The giant Swede is unquestionably talented, but he didn’t fit the Barcelona mould at all – plus his ego struggled alongside the likes of Lionel Messi.
Barcelona already had a fantastic forward in Samuel Eto’o, so why they decided to part with him – as well as £40m – is a mystery.
The Cameroonian went on to be a huge success at the San Siro, while Ibrahimovic was shipped out the very next season.
Juventus – Fabian Carini for Fabio Cannavaro – Inter
While their swap for Eto’o was certainly their best bit of business, letting Cannavaro go was undoubtedly their worst.
The Juventus and Italy captain went on to become the world’s best defender, winning the Ballon d’Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards soon after his switch – accolades more often that not reserved for more attack minded players.
Inter bizarrely believed the hype surrounding Carini, which turned out to be absolute rubbish, and the player never made more than a handful of appearances for the club.