The genius Man United and Crystal Palace swap transfer deal that both clubs would relish

The start of the Premier League season is now just days away but clubs can still continue to pursue summer business until the end of the month. The transfer window will slam shut in just three weeks’ time, so clubs must start to think about finalising their last deals before full focus shifts to the highly-anticipated 2024/25 season in England.

Manchester United had been tipped for a very busy summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looked to wield the axe on multiple senior players. It was reported before the window opened that the Red Devils were willing to listen to offers for practically the whole first team squad this summer, following a disappointing run in the Premier League.

Some players have been sold, others shown the door following the expiration of their contracts, but with time still left for more movement, it seems unlikely United are done there. Some of the main names who the Reds had been eager to shift remain at the club. Jadon Sancho, the biggest exit link, is still on the books but he is headed for a transfer, with Football Insider reporting that talks with Paris Saint-Germain are underway.

Harry Maguire is another man who has been tipped to leave for some time now. While contrasting reports have emerged over recent months regarding his future, TEAMtalk reported last month that United are still ‘willing to sell’ the defender before the summer window closes. The Reds are looking for ‘the right price’ for Maguire but what if a player swap deal was to present itself?

With Leny Yoro’s arrival, fans excited to see Lisandro Martínez back, and Jonny Evans extending his stay, there is scope for United to move Maguire on. Even if they were to sell the England international for cash, they will not make back anywhere near the eye-watering £80 million they paid five years ago. So why not entertain the idea of a swap, guaranteeing they will get a player they need?

Crystal Palace are currently are a hot bed for transfer attention right now, with Michael Olise already moved on to Bayern Munich. Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi are also heavily on the radar of other Premier League clubs, and after Euro 2024, the media is expecting to see a deal agreed for the latter soon.

Newcastle United are in hot pursuit of Guéhi, and his exit will be a big loss for the Eagles. If they snag a deal for the England defender, Palace will need someone reliable to step in. A fellow international like Maguire would be a strong signing for Oliver Glasner’s side and the move could be what the 31-year-old needs to boost his confidence after a tricky couple of seasons at Old Trafford.

While Maguire to Selhurst Park makes sense for both clubs and the player, who might be right to go the other way for United? Erik ten Hag still has some players who could be headed for the door this summer and one is Casemiro. Fabrizio Romano confirmed last month that the Brazilian’s exit remains a ‘concrete possibility’ for this window, with Saudi Arabia club ‘still in contact’ over a move.

United are open to cashing in on Casemiro in order to bring in a new midfielder, so it will have to be a like-for-like swap. They are currently entertaining the pursuit of Sander Berge from relegated Burnley but it will cost them £30 million to convince the Clarets to sell.

Cheick Doucouré of Palace could be a smart option to pursue, heading in the other direction in this proposed player-swap. The Mali international has his 2023/24 season cut short due to an Achilles injury but his previous campaign was a strong one performance wise.

During the 2022/23 season, Doucouré made more interceptions (1.6) than Casemiro (1.2) per 90 minutes and was dribbled past significantly less times on average (0.7) per 90, compared to the Brazilian’s 1.6. Doucouré’s passing accuracy was also higher than Casemiro’s with 83.6 percent to the United man’s 78.5 percent.

During his debut season as Palace, former manager Roy Hodgson had a lot of praise for new arrival Doucouré.

“He has been very influential. He’s one of those players that plays in a position which is a bit of a fulcrum of the attacking midfield play and defending midfield play. His positional sense, his ability to read the game, his technical ability, and the fact that he gets around the field so well [makes him influential]. I noticed he’s up there amongst people who’ve made the most interceptions, which is nice to see.”