Kolkata: Barcelona are likely to prepare a swap deal featuring Antoine Greizmann and Saul Niguez from reigning La Liga champions Atlético Madrid grabbing the eyeballs. While there have been no concrete reports on this, speculations are on Chelsea, Manchester United, and Juventus are also in line to secure the services of the France World Cup winner.
Jadon Sancho is just a few paperworks shy donning the Manchester United shirt, legendary Sergio Ramos has already penned a deal with Ligue 1 giants PSG. Not only these but there are also several big transfers in the pipeline that are certain to grab the eyeballs in the next few days.
While the world anticipates the impact of the deal Griezmann-Niguez deal, Sportslight Media decided to take a look at some of the most prolific swap deals in the last two decades.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic-Samuel Eto’o (2009)
The first has to be the one between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o. After Barcelona won their first treble in 2009, the Catalan giants brought Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan for 45M euros that included Samuel Eto’o in a swap deal. While the Cameroonian striker went ahead to win another treble with the Italian side, Ibrahimovic couldn’t provide that much impact for the Spanish giants. Eto’o was valued at 20m euros at that time.
Fernando Torres-Luis Garcia (2007)
In 2007 itself, Liverpool signed Fernando Torres from Atlético Madrid, which saw Luis Garcia joining the Spanish side. Torres went on to become a club legend scoring 65 goals in 102 appearances.
Julio Baptista-Antonio Reyes (2006)
Talking of Spanish Giants, Real Madrid had a highly profitable deal bringing in Arsenal’s Antonio Reyes against Julio Baptista. Making his way into Spain, Reyes played a key role in Real Madrid’s 30th La Liga title-winning season, although Baptista returned the following year to have the finest season of his career in 2007 in the Los Blanco’s shirt.
Deco-Ricardo Quaresma (2004)
Barcelona initiated a deal in 2004 to bring Deco for Ricardo Quaresma from the Portuguese side Porto. In his 113 appearances for Barcelona, Deco scored 12 goals winning two La Liga titles, one Spanish Super Cup and one Champions League with the Blaugrana side. Deco was brought in for 15 million euros.
Christian Veiri-Diego Simeone (1999)
Looking back in 1999 Inter Milan struck up a deal with Lazio to sign Christian Veiri for Diego Simeone and 40M euros.
