Since we don't have money to actually buy players I was thinking over the last few days about possible swaps including our rejects and possible targets at positions of need (LB, CB, DM/CM; I think if Depay is confirmed we're mostly done in attack; some players could leave but I don't see us signing another forward).
Most of the names were already linked to Barca but I'll add a few names I'd consider going for eventhough chances for getting them are very low.
1. GAYA - FIRPO + 5-8m
The most talked about swap and probably the most likely to happen. Gaya has stopped his renovations talks with Valencia (he's still under contract until 2023) and is waiting for Barca offer. Alba needs a serious competition and he's the most realistically available player who can provide that. Gaya is adapted to La Liga and entering his prime years so we could expect immediate impact from him. Firpo would have a chance to get regular minutes in Valencia and get his career back on the track.
Likelihood of the deal happening: 40%
Alternatives if the swap won't happen: sell Firpo to the EPL clubs for around 15m, add some money and still try to get Gaya. Maybe Gosens or Wijndal.
2. GAYA - ALENA + 10-12m
Explained above why we should sign Gaya. Alena is liked by Valencia's new coach Jose Bordalas and including him in a swap like this would probably maximize his value as I doubt we'd get much by just selling him alone. But I give this swap lesser chances to happen.
Likelihood: 20%
Alternatives: Sell Alena (and Firpo) for the best offer and invest that money into Gaya, Gosens or Wijndal.
3. LAPORTE - SERGI ROBERTO + 20-30m
Recent rumours about this possible swap. I have some concerns about Laporte's injuries but he'd be an upgrade over what we have and if we can also offload Roberto at the same time even better. With Koeman staying I just don't want him to even have a chance considering playing Roberto as a CB anymore, lol. But I think pulling off a deal like this will be incredible tough. If City would eventually decide to sell Laporte then they'd surely prefer money which they can invest into Kane or whoever they're targetting. We would also need to sell Dembele or Griezmann to actually have some money we could use to include in possible swap deals.
Likelihood: 5-10%
Alternatives: Find another CB target and just try to offload Roberto for whatever we can get.
4. F. RUIZ - UMTITI, FIRPO + 20m
Again recycling most recent media rumours. I've liked Fabian since his days at Betis but think he has stagnated at Napoli over the last two years. Wouldn't go crazy after him so above mentioned swap is probably the most I'd do to get him but it's almost impossible to happen. Fabian is apparently on Ancelotti's wishlist as well and RM has more money and players they could use to convince Napoli if they would sell.
Likelihood: close to 0%
Alternatives: I'll mention some other possible midfield targets below. Just get whatever we can for Firpo and find someone willing to pay part of Umtiti's wages to send him on loan.
5. KESSIE - FIRPO + 30m
Here is one name that wasn't linked to us but I hope is on our radar. Kessie would be perfect for our midfield imo and his contract is up next summer. Still, with Milan qualifying to the CL they'll do anything to keep Kessie. Fans love him and he could potentially become their new captain and if they'd sell Theo Hernandez for big money to PSG as rumoured then I don't see them selling another key player.
Likelihood: close to 0%
Alternatives: look for other midfielders, sell Firpo
6. PARTEY - COUTINHO +15-20m
I've not watched a lot of Arsenal games but from what I know Partey was quite irregular and also had some injuries. I have no idea if Arsenal would really give up on him so soon though. And well, Coutinho is not exactly a very desired player right now. Also have hard time seeing him join a club not playing in Europe and very unlikely Arsenal could afford (or would be willing to pay) his wages.
Likelihood: close to 0%
Alternatives:: probably loan for Coutinho to offload some of his wages
7. BENTANCUR - PJANIĆ
Not sure how to feel about this potential swap and if Juve would do it. I guess it depends on how much Allegri really wants Pjanić's return.
Likelihood: <5%
Alternatives: Pjanić on loan (with a buy option) to Juve
8. DE LIGT - DEMBELE/GRIEZMANN + PJANIĆ
Another almost impossible deal to happen but with Raiola involved I still think there are some low chances we could pull something off if De Ligt really wants to leave Juve. Don't think it would take a lot to convince Pjanić returning to Juve but would be tougher with Dembele or Griezmann. And obviously, convincing Juve would be the toughest task.
Likelihood: <5%
Alternatives:: find a cheaper CB, sell/loan Pjanić back to Juve, sell Dembele/Griezmann or lower their wages
9. SOYUNCU - COUTINHO + 40m
Soyuncu had injuries over the last two seasons and we're apparently looking for a left-footed CB so don't know if he's really on our shortlist. I'd still seriously consider him though. Coutinho could try to revive his career under Brendan Rodgers.
Likelihood: close to 0%
Alternatives:: find another CB, loan Coutinho
10. KOUNDE - LENGLET + 30m
I would walk to Barcelona and kiss Laporta's legs if he could pull this off. Sevilla will want only money for Kounde and we don't have any. Our only hope to get him is Sevilla keeping him for another season and our financial situation improve enough until next year we can get him then.
Likelihood: 0%
Alternatives:: find a cheaper CB option, probably keep Lenglet for another season
11. AOUAR - UMTITI + 25m
I like Aouar but he's not exactly the type of midfielder I think we should target right now. Still, if available for affordable price he could add a lot to the team. Realistically we'd probably have to pay Lyon more to just take Umtiti off our hands. And I don't see him being humble enough accepting a move back to his former team as he probably still thinks he's a top player deserving to play for Barca. Wages would also be problematic as usual when we try to offload players.
Likelihood: <5%
Alternatives: loan Umtiti
There are surely other possible swap deals I've missed and some of them could have potentially higher chances to go through but I think all things considered swapping players is just incredible tough for multiple reasons. And while I believe Alemany&Co. will consider doing swaps our most realistic chances to further improve the team is selling rejects for the most we can get (and also lowering pay roll) and then re-invest that money into players with realistically affordable prices like Gaya or. L. Martinez. I've also suggested Koopmeiners in another thread yesterday and think he could be a solid option to play both as a DM and LCB but don't know how much he'd cost.
Interesting .... I saw something about a possible swap deal with Cancelo coming here and Roberto going the other way .. apparently Pep has tried to get him a few times !? News to me .
Also Cancelo has been wanting away for a while supposedly plus he?s well
pizzed after not featuring in the CL final
