While 'trades' are commonplace in American sports, only rarely do you see two football clubs trade playing talent without any cash involved.
There have been some high-profile examples, including Barcelona and Inter's swapping of Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (as well as €46m), the bizarre deal between Barca and Juventus involved Miralem Pjanic and Arthur Melo, as well as Manchester United and Arsenal's ill-fated trade of Laexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Some work, most don't. These are difficult deals for clubs to negotiate and complete. History suggests they're probably not worth the hassle.
But just hang on a minute. I think I'm onto something regarding a potential swap deal between Juve and Spurs.
Swapping Yves Bissouma for Douglas Luiz makes sense for Tottenham
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia) report that Juve are interested in Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, with strong relations between new Bianconeri general manager Damien Comolli and Daniel Levy believed to be key in striking any potential deal. Comolli worked for Levy in north London for three years between 2005 and 2008.
Bissouma entered the summer with his future relatively uncertain. While he performed excellent during our final three games of the Europa League, his time at the club has been plagued by inconsistency and moments of idiocy. However, as he proved down the stretch last season, Bissouma is capable of performing as the uniquely dominant holding midfielder we thought he was when we signed him back in 2022.
The Mali international was brought back in from the cold by Ange Postecoglou, and it remains to be seen whether Thomas Frank believes the midfielder has a future in N17.
Given Bissouma's struggles for consistency, a new number six has been regarded as a transfer priority by many this summer.
🚨🇧🇷 Juventus have been approached by Premier League clubs for Douglas Luiz as he’s expected to leave this summer.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2025
No talks or contacts ongoing with Como so far despite reports. pic.twitter.com/agmlxnt99x
I flirted with the idea of potentially targeting Douglas Luiz as a means of bolstering our midfield, even if his best work at Aston Villa arrived in a less disciplined midfield role. The Brazilian's sole season in Turin was bitterly disappointing, and there's been talk of Juve parting ways with Luiz for a bargain price (around €20m-€25m) this summer.
He may not be the answer to our number six issue, but is there a chance for Spurs and Juve to do business here? If the Italians want Bissouma and we deem Luiz a market opportunity that can't be passed up, surely we could be in swap deal territory.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Luiz has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, but we have not been listed as a potential option. Perhaps the only midfield arrival through the door this summer will be a bona fide six.