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Alec in Wales: I thought swap deals had been banned?

While player trades between clubs are an unusual sight in the transfer window these days, they are not banned - but they do have to meet certain rules.

The swap of Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson between Everton and Crystal Palace will technically be treated as two separate transfers, and will be part of the assessment of the Premier League Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) regulations.

For example, Johnson cost Palace £35m, and his valuation as part of the McNeil deal would impact the Eagles SCR calculations. He would need to be valued at around £30m for it to be recorded as a neutral transaction on the accounts.

But what if he is valued less than that?

When McNeil's proposed move to Selhurst Park fell through in February, he was valued at £20m. If this is a true swap deal, and the two players are valued at £20m, that would be a £10m loss for Palace.

All swap deals also still have to pass the Premier League's Fair Market Value checks.

BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team are dedicated to answering your questions - send yours in by clicking here.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Adam in London: For Arsenal, heavily rumoured to be after a left winger, following the Vinicius Jr saga... Who do you think will be most likely LW to sign for the club before the end of the window?

It’s a tough position to be in when the club have had such a public move for a player not come to fruition, and also when there are only a small number of players who can fit the bill of what Arsenal are looking for.

The Gunners want players who can take them to the next level and that is hard to find after winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.

Bradley Barcola is of interest to Liverpool and would require a huge fee if Arsenal were to try to make that happen.

As the league season gets closer it will be harder for Arsenal to get top players out of their clubs.

However, the Gunners may not only look for a left winger and a forward who could play multiple positions could come in to bolster the frontline.

Last season, in Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace, Brennan Johnson played a key role on the right with Yeremy Pino on the left.

With Johnson set to join Everton in a swap deal with Dwight McNeil, and the appointment of new manager Pierre Sage, Crystal Palace could see an entirely different playing style next season.

Dwight McNeil has a very similar style of play and positioning to Johnson, being able to swiftly move into a number 10 role as well as playing on the wing, but who else could Sage choose to play on the wing?

Senegalese international Ismaila Sarr was often used last season instead of Johnson, and offered a more attacking, goalscoring option than Johnson's playmaker style.

McNeil could play alongside World Cup-winning winger Pino, as the latter can play across the front line as an option for Sage instead of their new signing.

Image source, Getty Images

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside

Quintus in Streatham: Have Everton got any closer to signing a right back?

It's priority but right now there is nothing imminent.

Everton reps were at the Celtic game to see Alastair Johnston this weekend and he is a target.

Djed Spence was someone Everton were keen on before the World Cup but his performances for England have likely priced them out of a move.

West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been someone David Moyes would like to bring to the Toffees too.

Everton currently being hit, like other clubs, by a global shortage of right backs.

Supporters will be frustrated though if Jake O'Brien starts the season there. Nathan Patterson remains with the club as the only right back but it's been clear the manager doesn't see him as a starting player.

Image source, Getty Images

We've been asking for your thoughts on the Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson swap deal that Everton and Crystal Palace have agreed today.

Everton signed McNeil, 26, in 2022 from Burnley for £20m. Transfermarkt currently value him at just over £15m.

25-year-old Johnson joined Palace in a deal worth £35m just eight months ago. His valuation on Transfermarkt is almost £27m.

Manchester City have reportedly taken a huge step forward in the race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old's name was on everyone's lips during the World Cup, where he dazzled, particularly in Morocco's opener against Brazil.

Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain have all been monitoring the teenage midfielder.

But Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Bouaddi, who is contracted to Ligue 1 side Lille until June 2029.

If City can get the deal over the line, it'll be their second midfield signing of the summer after they paid a club-record fee of £116m for Elliot Anderson.

Image source, Getty Images

Another midfielder to the Etihad, you say?

There could be some good news on that front.

It's time for your questions.

What do you want to know about your club and its transfer activity in this window?

We've got a host of reporters ready to answer any queries you may have.

Send them in and we'll get to as many of them as we can.

Thanks.

According to Spanish radio network Cadena Ser, who have spoken directly to Rodri's agent Pablo Barquero, Real Madrid made Rodri an "irresistible" offer shortly after Spain's World Cup triumph.

Talks began just days after the tournament, with Rodri's camp praising the courtesy, class and respect shown by the club throughout the negotiations.

According to the report, everyone at Real Madrid, from president Florentino Perez to chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez, worked to make the deal happen and made it clear they were serious about signing the midfielder.

They had put everything on the table to get the deal over the line but despite positive discussions over the past two weeks, Rodri has made the personal decision to accept another offer, says the radio network.

Cadena Ser add that Real Madrid were informed of Rodri's decision on Friday and chose to end the process in order to avoid prolonging uncertainty, while thanking the player for the respectful way the negotiations were conducted.

Image source, Getty Images

On Friday, Manchester City rejected an opening offer of £38.5m from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri.

City are open to selling the Spaniard, but would demand more than £60m.

According to Sport - in Spanish, external, Barcelona have made an increased bid of £51.4m.

The 30-year-old enters the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to sign a new deal, with speculation rife about his future this summer.

It looked like Real Madrid would be his next destination but La Liga rivals Barcelona are now leading the race after sources told BBC Sport on Thursday that the club had the player's approval to open negotiations with City. The offer was made on Friday.

Barca sources had initially told BBC Sport there were no guarantees any deal would be made but the situation now looks to be developing.

The club said on Friday they are in ongoing conversations with the player's representatives and later made their opening offer.

BBC sources say talks with Real have now ended.

Image source, Getty Images

So much to chat about today.

Crystal Palace and Everton have agreed a swap deal for Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil.

Liverpool are closing in on signing Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing for Manchester City midfielder Rodri and his move to the La Liga champions.

Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has taken to X to share a message with his Uruguay teammate Ronald Araujo, who is close to joining the Reds on loan.

Before a deal has been officially announced, Nunez wrote a social media post telling Araujo he is glad that he'll be experiencing the Merseyside club's "special" fans.

Image source, X

Image source, Getty Images

Over the weekend BBC Sport revealed Liverpool are close to signing Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

The deal includes an option to buy Araujo, who is expected to have a medical on Sunday.

The 27-year-old centre-back has helped Barca win La Liga in three of the past four seasons, and ended last season as club captain.

Araujo is under contract until 2031 but only made 11 league starts last season, with Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi emerging as their preferred central defensive pairing.

Liverpool were looking to strengthen their defence after Ibrahima Konate left the Reds to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday Middlesbrough signed Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old Czech spent last season on loan in the Championship with Bristol City and made 41 league appearances.

Vitek didn't make a competitive appearance for Manchester United but did feature for them in pre-season friendlies this summer.