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A ranking of the 12 biggest exchanges in football history has been compiled. The list features historic deals like Zlatan Ibrahimovic's legendary swap for Samuel Eto'o between Barcelona and Inter, as well as a recent trade between Everton and Crystal Palace.

Direct player exchanges are a rarity in modern football, yet the history of transfers features numerous high-profile and convoluted deals involving global stars.

Here is a ranking of the 12 most significant swaps.

Top 12 swaps in football history:

  1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o (2009): Barcelona sent Eto'o and about €70 million to acquire Ibrahimovic. Ultimately, Inter won the treble, while Zlatan left Catalonia just a year later following a fallout with Pep Guardiola.
  2. Miralem Pjanic and Arthur (2020): Barcelona and Juventus orchestrated a financial juggernaut of a swap (€60 million for Pjanic and €80 million for Arthur), which yielded little success for either party.
  3. David Luiz and Nemanja Matic (2011): Chelsea secured Luiz from Benfica, including young Matic in the deal, who they later brought back in 2014.
  4. Louis Garcia and Fernando Torres (2007): Liverpool acquired Torres from Atletico Madrid, sending Garcia in exchange along with an extra £21.5 million.
  5. Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (2018): A disastrous trade for both Arsenal and Manchester United.
  6. Ricardo Quaresma and Deco (2004): Barcelona traded Quaresma to Porto, with an additional £13 million, to bring in key midfielder Deco.
  7. Ashley Cole and William Gallas (2006): Chelsea snapped up Cole from Arsenal, handing over Gallas and £5 million.
  8. Julio Baptista and José Antonio Reyes (2006): A rare example of a loan swap between Real Madrid and Arsenal.
  9. Diego Milito, Thiago Motta and 4 players (2009): Inter acquired two stars from Genoa, giving up Leonardo Bonucci and three other players in return.
  10. Diego Simeone and Christian Vieri (1999): Inter paid Lazio a record £28 million while sending Simeone the other way for Vieri.
  11. Francesco Coco and Clarence Seedorf (2002): Inter made a blunder by letting Seedorf join Milan, where the Dutchman would go on to win two more Champions League titles.
  12. Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson (2026): A rare direct swap in the Premier League between Everton and Crystal Palace with no additional compensation.