What would top soccer players be worth in Adam Smith’s barter economy?

Alexis Sanchez: Bugatti Royale

Alexis Sanchez is a truly amazing player. His passes are deft and skillful. His shots are given just the right mixture of subtlety and power. The teamwork and effort he displays for a club he doesn’t even seem to like are testament to how great he is.

So, if someone wanted to finally pry Arsenal’s grip off the Chilean, they’d have to give up something equal. But what could be equal to the generational talents of Alexis Sanchez? Why, the Bugatti Royale, of course.

The Bugatti Royale is gorgeous. It’s a throwback to a time when bespoke cars were actually great, not just more expensive versions of production models. And it was. Originally intended for royalty, it was meant to be the most luxurious car model on the planet. In fact, it was too exclusive even for some royalty. King Zog of Albania was not allowed to buy one because Ettore Bugatti found his table manners disgraceful.

Unfortunately, the Great Depression hit and only six were ever built. But each one is unique, having different color schemes and bodies. They were all a labor of love by one of the most dedicated car builders in history. Bugatti were not manufacturers. They were craftsmen.

Not to mention the power. After Bugatti scrapped their plans to make more of the Royales, they repurposed the engines into trains. It turns out they had 200 horsepower. In 1927! Your Toyota Camry doesn’t have that.

This way, even if Arsenal did lose Sanchez, they’d be getting something just as valuable and powerful in return.