Ten sensible player exchanges that could benefit several clubs this January.
With more and more players likely to be on the move this January, we look at how Europe’s top clubs could kill two birds with one stone in landing their top targets on the cheap whilst offloading players they don’t need, who may be an attractive prospect elsewhere. Here are ten ideas for sensible swap deals that managers should look into pursuing when the transfer window re-opens.
10. Javier Hernandez for Koke
With Manchester United desperate to sign a new playmaker and reportedly willing to offer £16m to activate the release clause of highly-rated Atletico Madrid youngster Koke, perhaps there could be a cheaper option if David Moyes takes advantage of the fact that Atletico are still likely to be on the lookout for a new striker.
Having lost Colombian hot-shot Radamel Falcao to Monaco during the summer, Diego Simeone moved to replace him with David Villa from Barcelona, though he could still ideally do with a more long-term option upfront, and out-of-favour United striker Javier Hernandez had been mentioned as one of the targets for the Spanish club during the summer.
Currently looking unlikely to get the regular first-team football he wants at Old Trafford, Hernandez is reportedly considering an exit from the club in January and would surely be open to a switch to the high-flying La Liga side, who in turn would surely be more willing to part with their prized asset Koke if there was the promise of a quality player coming in return.
With United currently short of options in midfield and overloaded in attack, this is certainly a move that would make sense for Moyes when January comes around.