Crossword Genius

A handy transaction (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'transaction' is the definition.
(deal is a kind of transaction)

'a handy' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'del' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deal that I've seen before include "Give out (cards)" , "Distribute (cards); pine or fir timber" , "Kent town" , "A port; a (good) amount" , "Agreement; soft wood" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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