Everton and Crystal Palace are negotiating a player swap that could see Toffees’ winger Dwight McNeil join the Eagles, while Wales international Brennan Johnson would move in the opposite direction.
Both clubs aim to finalize the deal within the week.
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McNeil, 26, almost transferred to Selhurst Park at the beginning of February when Palace arranged a loan-to-buy agreement that would have culminated in a £20m permanent move this summer.
However, the transaction fell through due to incomplete paperwork, despite McNeil passing a medical examination.
On social media, his partner Megan Sharpley had been critical of Palace, expressing on Instagram: “We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a problem mental health is.
“So, in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money and that’s OK to mess and toy with their mental health and that it’s just part of the job?
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“To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster and to be toyed with until the final minute. For that to be torn away from you at the last second with absolutely no explanation has hurt more than I can say.”
However, the potential transfer has resurfaced, now including Johnson in the transaction.
The 25-year-old, who has represented Wales 45 times, netted the winning goal for Tottenham in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May 2025.
Johnson joined Palace in a £35m deal earlier this year and played a role in their journey to the Conference League final, although he was not on the pitch during their 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano that secured the Eagles’ first European trophy.
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Throughout his 26 appearances for Palace across all competitions, including 13 starts in the Premier League, Johnson did not score.
McNeil transferred to Everton from Burnley for £20m in July 2022, scoring 15 goals in 128 matches across all competitions.
Everton concluded the last season in 13th place in the Premier League, while Palace finished just two spots below them, but they will compete in the Europa League in the 2026-27 season due to their success in the Conference League.
The two teams are set to face each other at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, August 22, as the Premier League season opens.
Everton and Crystal Palace are in talks about a swap deal that would see Toffees’ winger Dwight McNeil join the Eagles and Wales international Brennan Johnson move in the opposite direction.
Both clubs are hoping to conclude the deal this week.
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McNeil, 26, nearly moved to Selhurst Park at the start of February when Palace agreed a loan-to-buy deal, which would have turned into a £20m permanent move this summer.
However, the transfer fell through as the required paperwork could not be completed in time, even though McNeil had already passed a medical.
In a social media post, his partner Megan Sharpley had been critical of Palace, writing on Instagram: “We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a problem mental health is.
“So, in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money and that’s OK to mess and toy with their mental health and that it’s just part of the job?
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“To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster and to be toyed with until the final minute. For that to be torn away from you at the last second with absolutely no explanation has hurt more than I can say.”
But the deal has been revived, with Johnson now involved in the exchange.
The 25-year-old, who has played 45 times for Wales, scored the winning goal for Tottenham in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May 2025.
Johnson moved to Palace in a £35m deal in January and helped them reach the Conference League final, although he was an unused substitute in their 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano as the Eagles won their first European trophy.
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Johnson failed to score in 26 appearance for Palace in all competitions, including 13 starts in the Premier League.
McNeil joined Everton from Burnley for £20m in July 2022, scoring 15 times in 128 games in all competitions.
Everton finished 13th in the Premier League last season, while Palace were two places below in the table, but will play in the Europa League in 2026-27 after their Conference League success.
The two sides meet at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 22 August in the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
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