10 potential swaps if Premier League staged a trade deadline
Inspired by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, theScore explores the possibility of swapping talent in the Premier League. The following deals should work for both parties, but some switches may ruffle a few feathers.
Idrissa Gueye for Olivier Giroud
How much longer can Arsenal trust the absent presence of Granit Xhaka? Gueye is a master at cutting up play with interceptions, and Everton could be tempted to part with its deep-lying midfielder if a proven striker - in this case, Giroud - is offered in return. Young prospect Beni Baningime would help lessen the blow for Everton.
Roberto Firmino for Jan Vertonghen
The sticking point in shaking hands on this move is the players' ages - Firmino is 26, Vertonghen is 30 - and how valuable the Brazilian's versatility and work ethic is to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. But the German manager needs defensive help (and would get the added bonus of left-back backup behind Alberto Moreno and Andy Robertson) while Mauricio Pochettino relies too heavily on Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane.
Claudio Bravo for Christopher Schindler
Third-choice goalkeeper Arijanet Muric is highly rated at Manchester City, and could ease into the deputy position held by Bravo. With Jonas Lossl a tad calamitous and only on loan, the Chilean would bring huge experience, a greater command of using his feet, and more stability to Huddersfield Town's role between the sticks. In return, defensive depth in the shape of Schindler would be gratefully received by Pep Guardiola.
Andreas Christensen for Ross Barkley
Everton academy graduate Barkley has been a long-term target for Chelsea, and would help flesh out a midfield that's looked thin on occasions this season. The Blues are blessed with numerous options in their back-three, so could push Christensen out of the exit door. The Dane would address the Toffees' torpid and defeated backline.
Kasper Schmeichel for James Milner
Leicester City's backup shot-stopper Eldin Jakupovic boasts superb athleticism, and is better than most No. 1s at mid-table Premier League clubs. So the loss of Schmeichel to Liverpool wouldn't be devastating, while Milner would offer support to both the midfield and full-back positions. That latter aspect would loosen the distinctly average Danny Simpson's stranglehold on the right-back slot.
Joshua King for Bruno Martins Indi
Kevin Wimmer, Ryan Shawcross, and Kurt Zouma put in heroic performances when Stoke City won 1-0 at Watford on Saturday. Maybe Martins Indi can be used as a hefty pawn in a trade for a player who can actually find the back of the net. King has the adaptability to play in various attacking roles, and hit 16 league goals last term. He's certainly better than Saido Berahino.
Danny Rose for Anthony Martial
Rose hasn't been shy about voicing his wish to move back up north, and Manchester United could do with a top-quality left-back rather than asking Ashley Young, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, or Matteo Darmian to fill in, or Luke Shaw to make amends with Jose Mourinho. Going the other way could be Martial, who still isn't a regular starter at United and would be a huge upgrade to Spurs' attacking choices after Kane. A gargantuan trade.
Bernardo Silva for Virgil van Dijk
The emergence of Phil Foden and form of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling could make Silva dispensable. He would add huge quality and draw the best from Dusan Tadic and Manolo Gabbiadini at Southampton, while Van Dijk shifts Nicolas Otamendi, who reminded fans of his chaotic tendencies in Saturday's win at West Bromwich Albion, out of City's starting XI.
Ahmed Musa for James Tomkins
Roy Hodgson is an old-school manager, and would love to partner Christian Benteke (when fit) with another striker in a 4-4-2 formation. Out-of-favour Leicester forward Musa would be able to run off the bulky Belgian's shoulder, while Tomkins - signed for £10 million by Crystal Palace last summer - can lessen the workload of Harry Maguire and Wes Morgan in the middle of Claude Puel's back-four. Both players could be rejuvenated at their hypothetical homes.
Daniel Sturridge for Jamaal Lascelles
Injuries and, in recent times, profligacy in front of goal have dampened Sturridge's career at Liverpool. He can revive his playing days in front of Newcastle United's passionate fan base, although it would come at a cost. Lascelles is a fan favourite on Tyneside, but a desperation to have someone better up top than Joselu may encourage Rafa Benitez to ratify a trade. For Klopp, welcoming an English defender to the club would be a no-brainer.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)