The glitz and glamour of the summer transfer window tells the story of a facile bond between buyer and seller. However, in reality, it's a far more complicated process.
Transfer fees, personal agreements, and agent demands tango with convoluted image rights arrangements to paint a murky picture of often opulent transactions. The litany of variables are why swap deals are a rarity in European football. Compromises like the one rivals Arsenal and Manchester United made last January to trade discontent parties Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez are the exception.
Trades, however, do make for a sensational story. In disregard of the complications that often provide prohibitive obstacles, here's a glance at seven hypothetical swaps that could suit two sides.
Anthony Martial - Toby Alderweireld
When not privy to Jose Mourinho's bench mob, Anthony Martial displays the virtues that once merited a world-record fee for a teenager. Three years on from the Monacoswitch and Martial wants out, as Manchester United look to shuffle the deck while funding the move for a top-class center-half.
Leicester City and England darling Harry Maguire is the player most frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford, though the Foxes are keen to keep their man. That may force United to shift their focus to Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian defender, thanks to a hamstring injury and Davinson Sanchez's seamless move to Tottenham, is inching towards a high-profile exit like Kyle Walker did the previous summer. Spurs, who have yet to make a signing in the window, have been associated with Martial in the past, and could use a left-sided attacker who can also deputize for Harry Kane as a traditional No. 9.
Andre Gomes - Michy Batshuayi
Maurizio Sarri's preferred 4-3-3 set-up could afford an injection of youth, and amid rumors of exits for both Eden Hazard and Willian, Chelsea could use a player that fancies wearing several hats.
That's where Andre Gomes comes into play. With just six La Liga starts last season under Ernesto Valverde, the €37-million man could use a change of scenery. Barcelona could also go for a young, dynamic forward. Luis Suarezis 31, Paco Alcacer is Paco Alcacer, and Ousmane Dembele and Malcom are set to star out wide for years to come. A central target man the likes of Michy Batshuayi could draw La Blaugrana's interest, especially if the Belgian continues to sit behind Alvaro Morataand Olivier Giroud on the Blues' pecking order.
Jerome Boateng - Adrien Rabiot
Reports linking Jerome Boateng with a move to Paris Saint-Germain have been gaining steam. With Thiago Silva staring down the latter stages of his career, and with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe the only two other first-team central defenders in the squad, stranger things have happened.
Pair that with protracted contract talks between Les Parisiens and Adrien Rabiot's manager, and rumblings that Arturo Vidalcould fancy an Inter tag team with Radja Nainngolan, and Bayern Munich could use a centre-mid. Rabiot, who had a temper tantrum after not making France's absurdly deep squad, has been the subject of reported interest from Barcelona. Bayern could do worse than recruiting Rabiot and his 92.3 percent passing standard, the third-best in Europe's top leagues last season among midfielders.
Robert Lewandowski - Toni Kroos
Staying in the Bavarian capital for an absolute banger of a swap, Bayern and fellow European heavyweights Real Madrid again meet at the bargaining table a summer after the James Rodriguez deal. This time, Bayern returns a fan favorite while shipping someone who has publicly expressed displeasure.
With a Cristiano Ronaldo-sized chasm in attack looming large, Los Blancos add goal-machine Robert Lewandowski to their ranks, while Niko Kovac's charges supplement Vidal's potential exit should Rabiot opt to stay put at the Parc des Princes. Spanish outlet Marca certainly thinks it could happen. Many a Bayern fan was upset when Toni Kroosmade the move to Spain in 2014, and with a few months to run until his 29th birthday, there's still plenty in the Germanyinternational's legs.
Kevin Trapp - Kurt Zouma
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea's tenuous grip on Thibaut Courtois is weakening, with links suggesting that the Belgian is set to return to Madrid, this time with Real. Willy Cabellero isn't going to cut it for the Blues, meaning the addition of a first-choice 'keeper is mandatory for Sarri's lot.
With Gianluigi Buffon's move to the French capital, one of either Kevin Trapp or Alphonse Areola has become redundant. The latter - a homegrown product who had a fantastic treble-winning season, and an heir apparent to Hugo Lloris' first-choice France duties - makes more sense to keep. Like with a trade for Boateng, it wouldn't hurt to add another central defender. Also, Kurt Zouma's Chelsea future is in question, with Sarri offering David Luiz - who fits the Italian's M.O. perfectly - a passage into the first-team in the preseason. Zouma is more than familiar with Ligue 1 after breaking through with Saint-Etienne.
Leonardo Bonucci - Gonzalo Higuain
One year in Milan was apparently enough for ball-playing center-half Leonardo Bonucci, who has been frequently linked of late with a return to Juventus. Talk of a swap deal for defender Mattia Caldara would provide only short-term gain for long-term pain.
AC Milan, who are desperate for a bonafide striker, would make a great partner. The club's 56 goals last season were joint-second worst among Serie A's top half. Gennaro Gattuso's lot could do worse than Gonzalo Higuain, whose 36 goals during the 2015-16 term with Napoli is still a league record. A loan for the Argentina international with an obligation to buy may benefit Milan's uncertain financial standing.
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