Everton and Crystal Palace's straight swap of Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil this summer makes zero sense.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insiderthat there must be hidden details in the transfer.
Supporters across the Premier League have been left baffled by the situation, with McNeil worth considerably less than the Toffees' new Welshman.
Just last summer, the Eagles were splashing £35million on the 25-year-old, but after a disappointing year at Selhurst Park, he's completed another move.
Given the two players' different valuations, it was certainly a surprise to see the deal announced as a straight swap deal, and Borson doesn't believe that it can be.
All reports believe that it is just that - a swap deal. However, the finance expert is struggling to see how this can be possible between two Premier League clubs.
'There's something we don't know about'
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that there are hidden clauses or details in the swap deal between Everton and Palace.
"It's very hard to know what the reality is. Everybody's saying it's a straight swap. I don't see how it can be a straight swap," he said.
"You're talking about McNeil, who was going to be £15m in January and has got a year left in his contract. And the idea is they swapped him for a £35m brand-new signing.
"It just doesn't... It can't be right. So there's something, there's some other detail that we don't know about. On the face of it, that can't be right.
"If you buy a play for £35m, he's on the books at £40m by the time you've added on all the ancillary costs."
Brennan Johnson: How Crystal Palace will benefit from 'hidden details' of Everton sale 'I watched Brennan Johnson closely and this is why Everton have made a mistake' Dwight McNeil clears the air with Steve Parish
McNeil was supposed to sign for the Eagles during the winter transfer window, only for a deal to fall through at the final stages.
The wide-midfielder was left distraught by the situation, especially as he struggled for minutes on Merseyside, but that appears to be behind him.
McNeil's partner even hit out at Palace and Steve Parish, but it was reported that the chairman moved quickly to clear the air with both ahead of the move.
With the transfers now completed for both clubs, the players will hoping for decent seasons on the pitch, but the finances continue to be a major talking point.
