Edinson Cavani to Manchester United with Angel Di Maria going the other way to Paris Saint-Germain, no cash involved, just a straight swap deal allowing two players who have had underwhelming careers with their current clubs – not that Di Maria's stay with United really constitutes a career – a fresh start. On the face of it, a Di Maria-Cavani swap deal, reported by the Daily Star on Sunday, makes a lot of sense doesn't it?
Di Maria was close to a transfer to PSG from Real Madrid, and he would have reportedly made that move as well had FFP not stopped the French side from making the appropriate bid.
Manchester United desperately need a striker capable of banging in the goals, and Cavani, if given ample opportunity, might just be able to rediscover his form at Napoli, which made him one of the most feared strikers in the game.
Both players have been rated at over £50million, and while there might be a million here or there difference in the final rating, that should not trouble either team too much if they do come to that table in view of completing a deal.
PSG have been on the trail of Di Maria for a while, and having lost out on the signing of the Argentine last summer, reports have suggested the Ligue 1 champions are ready to come back for the midfielder in this transfer window.
While Di Maria recently shot down exit rumours, the former Real Madrid man also said he wants to play more football, after finding himself on the bench for large parts of last season.
If Louis Van Gaal cannot guarantee the 27-year-old a place in the starting XI, then, you never know, a transfer away might just be possible.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the Argentina international, but PSG will know they can tempt Di Maria to switch his base to Paris.
Cavani has not had the greatest of times at PSG since his big-money transfer from Napoli, and every summer since then the 28-year-old has been linked with a move away.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains the main man at PSG, and as long as that remains the case, Cavani will have to play second fiddle.
A move away to a club where he will be the automatic first-choice striker might not be such a bad idea. Manchester United are looking for that devastating goalscorer, having decided against making the loan move for Radamel Falcao permanent, while Robin Van Persie's future remains uncertain.
Even if Van Persie, who only has a year remaining on his current contract, stays at Old Trafford next season, chances of the Dutchman missing large chunks of the season through injury are quite good, and, therefore, Cavani could see himself as an established starter.
However, such swap deals, where players of such high stature are involved, are quite rare. So don't expect it to go ahead, even if it might just be what both teams need going into the new season.
