Everton are reportedly in talks with Crystal Palace over a potential swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, a move that would bring together two players whose recent transfer paths have already crossed once this year.
The reported discussions matter because Crystal Palace only signed Brennan Johnson in January for a club-record fee of around £35M, and he arrived after a strong spell at Tottenham Hotspur. In the 2024-25 campaign, the 25-year-old scored 18 goals, including the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United.
Why the deal stands out
Everton are said to be looking for a natural right-sided option, which explains why Johnson has emerged in the talks. He would give David Moyes another attacking piece with proven output, while Everton could also be prepared to add a transfer fee as part of the agreement.
For Crystal Palace, the idea of moving on from a player they signed just seven months ago is notable in itself. The club had already been in the mix for Dwight McNeil in January, when he completed a medical on deadline day ahead of a loan-to-buy move that eventually collapsed after Palace failed to complete the required paperwork in time.
McNeil connection
McNeil remains part of the story because Palace's interest in him is not new. In January, the 26-year-old was close enough to joining Crystal Palace that a medical had already taken place, only for the move to fall apart at the final stage. That history gives the current talks extra context, even if nothing is agreed yet.
Johnson's recent record helps explain why Everton would be interested. Across his time with Tottenham Hotspur, he scored 27 goals in 107 appearances, and his 18-goal campaign in 2024-25 was the sort of production that can change a team's attacking outlook quickly.
Whether Everton and Crystal Palace can turn the reported conversations into a deal remains to be seen, but the basic framework is clear: one club wants a right-sided attacking upgrade, another already knows both players, and the January history between them makes this a situation worth watching closely.
