A potted history of player exchange transfer deals

This week's transfer swap deal between Everton and Crystal Palace, that sees Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson directly change clubs, is something of a rarity in the transfer market in modern day football.

There have been several other examples of straight player exchanges - but first a story from former Southampton forward Dave Puckett, who after scoring 14 goals in the First Division, playing alongside Kevin Keegan and being part of the squad that finished second to Liverpool in 1983-84, moved away from the Dell as part of a swap deal.

"At the end of a frustrating 1985-86 season, and limited first team opportunities, I turned down a new and improved two-year contract offer from Southampton, as did my team-mate Mark Whitlock", says Puckett.

"Along the south coast, Harry Redknapp was putting a side together of 'free transfers' to go for a promotion push at AFC Bournemouth. He wanted me and Mark to be part of his plans. Their prize asset the previous season was Third Division leading scorer Colin Clarke, who was wanted by many clubs, including Southampton. Colin had also scored at the 1986 World Cup for Northern Ireland against Spain, increasing his market value.

"Mark and I, having both made close to 100 appearances in the top division, would each command a transfer fee for Southampton, while Colin would now be worth a great deal to Bournemouth. It was agreed between the two clubs that a large chunk of Colin's value would be taken off, and Mark and I would be classed as 'free transfers'.

"This worked out superbly for all parties - Harry and Bournemouth received money, and two players with First Division experience. He continued to build his side and we went on to win the Third Division Championship with record 97 points.

"Southampton had two players off their wage bill who were being used sparingly, to help finance their new star striker. Colin Clarke got a debut hat-trick against QPR and continued scoring regularly in the top division. Mark and I were now first team regulars week in, week out with a championship winners medal and our careers back on track. Swap deals can work!"

William Lacey and Tom Gracie (Everton to Liverpool) with Harold Uren (Liverpool to Everton) in 1912. Winger Lacey went on to make 260 appearances for Liverpool, winning league titles in 1922 and 1923. Uren had two sons who both played international rugby union for England.

David Whyte and Paul Mortimer (Crystal Palace to Charlton) with Darren Pitcher (Charlton to Crystal Palace) in 1994. Midfielder Mortimer made the move back to The Valley, having started his league career with Charlton in 1987, before spells at Aston Villa and Palace.

Paul Anderson (Hull City to Liverpool) with John Welsh (Liverpool to Hull City) in 2006. Winger Anderson moved to Anfield aged 17 and won the FA Youth Cup, but left without making a first-team appearance. He played several Championship seasons for Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town. Welsh played over 400 career games, notably for Tranmere Rovers and Preston North End.

Josemi (Liverpool to Villarreal) with Jan Kromkamp (Villarreal to Liverpool) in 2006. Right back Kromkamp made 18 appearances for Liverpool over two seasons, and is now the manager of Dutch side CSV Apeldoorn. Josemi moved on from Villarreal in 2008 and had spells in Greece and in the Indian Super League.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal to Manchester United) with Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United to Arsenal) in January 2018. Possibly the highest-profile player exchange transfer, Sanchez moved to Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, and scored five goals in his 45 games for Manchester United, before leaving for Inter Milan. Mkhitaryan is the all-time leading goalscorer for Armenia and has won two Serie A titles with Inter Milan. He scored nine goals in 59 Arsenal appearances.