Why are there so many Player Swap deals?

Johnny Friendly

Football fans would be entitled to be scratching their heads when looking at the various transfer deals announced in the last few days, when there has been a significant increase in players moving in opposite directions for seemingly inflated transfer fees.

Player Swaps

For example, there was an effective exchange of little known academy products, Tim Iroegbunam and Lewis Dobbin, in separate deals between Everton and Aston Villa for around £10m apiece.

At the same time, Chelsea sold homegrown Ian Maatsen to Villa for £37.5m, while Villa transferred Omari Kellyman, another academy player, to Chelsea for a reported £19m.

In addition, Villa have apparently sold Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus for €50m (£43.5m), while fringe players Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea will move in the opposite direction for €22m (£19.1m).