Harry Diamond 09/08/2026 5comments  |  Jump to last

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Everton are reportedly in talks with Crystal Palace over a potential swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson.

McNeil saw a transfer to Crystal Palace collapse in the January transfer window, with the winger completing a medical on deadline day ahead of a loan-to-buy move. However, the deal fell through after Palace failed to complete the required paperwork in time.

Crystal Palace remain interested in signing the 26-year-old, who was valued at £20m in January and has less than 12 months remaining on his contract at Hill Dickinson Stadium. According to various outlets, including The Times and talkSPORT, Everton are now in talks with Palace over a deal that could see Wales winger Johnson head in the opposite direction.

Johnson only joined Crystal Palace in January for a then-club record fee of around £35m, but struggled to make the desired impact. He failed to score in 18 Premier League appearances, of which 13 came from the start.

Prior to his move to Crystal Palace, the 25-year-old scored 27 goals in 107 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur. That return included an 18-goal campaign in 2025/25, which culminated with the winner in the club’s Europa League final success against Manchester United. He’s also scored seven times in 45 caps for Wales. 

Given the Eagles’ investment in Johnson just seven months ago, Everton would likely need to offer a transfer fee plus McNeil to get a deal done. The Blues have also been credited with interest in Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier, as David Moyes seeks a natural right-sided option.

 

 

Reader Comments (5)

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Raymond Fox
1 Posted 09/08/2026 at 10:39:44
Do it if possible, he has more pace than McNeil.
Ian Bennett
2 Posted 09/08/2026 at 10:43:53
Improves the squad. Adds pace, can play front 3 positions, and if Moyes can get him right, a player that could score 10 to 15 a season in a position that no one has convinced.

Stunk the gaff out at Palace, but a strange buy when they had Sarr already on the right, and overlooked by Thomas Frank.

3 years ago this was a £50m player, that in today's market is £65-75m. His star has fallen, but a swap for Mcneil and cash looks a good buy initially. Is the motivation there to perform?

Hopefully more shades of Pienaar from Dortmund than Dele Ali from Spurs.
David West
3 Posted 09/08/2026 at 10:59:26
I mean we moan about our recruitment team, but who the full at Palace thinks swapping mcneil for johnson is good business?
Could be 20m & mcneil.

Either way get it done before they have second (third) thoughts !
Mike Powell
4 Posted 09/08/2026 at 10:59:32
Just sign a right back
Brian Harrison
5 Posted 09/08/2026 at 11:28:47
I really find this incredible, last season Palace pulled the deal at the last minute, and McNeil's wife was very critical the way Palace had treated them. So why having been let down so badly why would you be happy to go back and deal with the same board.

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