Headline: Everton and Crystal Palace Finalize Winger Swap Deal Involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil
Everton and Crystal Palace have successfully completed a swap deal involving wingers Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil. This marks Johnson’s departure from Selhurst Park, just seven months after joining the club for a record fee of £35 million.
The swap comes six months after McNeil’s initial move to Palace failed to materialize at the end of the January transfer window. Premier League regulations require all swap transfers to meet fair market value checks given recent concerns over PSR-related dealings in the 2024 window.
Johnson, who has enjoyed European success in the past two seasons, is known for scoring the decisive goal that helped Tottenham secure the Europa League in 2025. However, he struggled to find the net during his 26 appearances for Palace.
McNeil’s transfer follows a period marked by controversy, as six months ago, his partner accused Crystal Palace of adversely affecting his mental health during the failed negotiations for a transfer. Currently, Johnson becomes Everton’s second signing by manager David Moyes this summer, joining Tyrique George in expanding the team’s attacking options.
Johnson expressed his eagerness to return to form and contribute at Hill Dickinson Stadium, saying, “It’s a massive club and one that when I first heard of the interest, I immediately wanted to come and be part of it.” He mentioned multiple reasons that motivated his decision to join Everton, including the manager, the players, and the club’s direction. He emphasized his determination to showcase his abilities, stating, “I want to bring all of my attributes. I think I can bring speed, goals and everything I’ve got.”
Meanwhile, McNeil, who was acquired by Everton from Burnley four years ago, netted 15 goals in 128 matches for the club and was nearing the end of his contract. After the failed switch to Palace, he returned to action under Moyes, making an additional eight appearances.
Following this transfer, McNeil now becomes Palace’s third addition under new manager Pierre Sage, joining previous signings Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Everton and Crystal Palace have completed their swap deal for wingers Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil.
Wales international Johnson leaves Selhurst Park just seven months after joining for a club record of £35m.
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McNeil joins Palace six months after his £20m move to the London club broke down at the end of the January transfer window.
All swap transfers have to pass the Premier League’s fair market value checks, following a spate of PSR-related deals during the 2024 window.
Johnson has won European trophies in his last two seasons, scoring the goal that earned Tottenham the Europa League in 2025 but failed to find the net in 26 appearances for Palace.
McNeil’s move to Palace also comes six months after his partner accused them of damaging his mental health as the deal was called off then.
Johnson, meanwhile, has become the second winger signed by David Moyes this summer, after Tyrique George, as the Scot looks to give Everton options in the wide positions.
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Johnson said he wants to get back to his best at Hill Dickinson Stadium, explaining: “It’s a massive club and one that when I first heard of the interest, I immediately wanted to come and be part of it.
“There were a lot of reasons why I was so keen to join – the manager, the players, the direction the team is going in. You can see this is a club that wants to go in the right direction, and I’m a player who wants to go in that direction so it feels like a really good match.
“I want to come in and show what I can do. The manager spoke to me about getting back to the form that I’ve shown previously, and that’s a massive thing for me – the fact he knows and believes in what I can do. For me, listening to him – a manager who is so experienced and someone who has been so successful – it was really nice to hear.
“I want to bring all of my attributes. I think I can bring speed, goals and everything I’ve got.”
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McNeil, who was bought for Everton by Frank Lampard four years ago, scored 15 goals in 128 games for the Merseyside club and had entered the last year of his contract.
The former Burnley player was brought back into the fold by Moyes after his switch to Palace was initially called off, making a further eight appearances.
Then his girlfriend Megan Sharpley criticised Palace on Instagram, writing: “Tonight, and the last 48 hours, have broken my heart to see how the football world you love so much can be so cruel to you. 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?
“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.”
Now he has become Palace’s third signing under new manager Pierre Sage after Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
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