Everton's McNeil & Palace's Johnson poised for swap

The Premier League transfer market has heated up as Everton and Crystal Palace engage in serious discussions over a potential swap deal. The agreement would see Toffees winger Dwight McNeil head to Selhurst Park, while Wales international Brennan Johnson moves in the opposite direction. Both clubs are pushing to finalise the agreement within this week.

Back at the start of February, McNeil, 26, came agonizingly close to joining Palace when a loan-to-buy arrangement worth 20 million pounds was struck, set to become permanent this summer. However, the transfer fell through at the eleventh hour because the required paperwork failed to clear in time, even though the winger had already completed his medical examination. The heartbreak prompted his partner, Megan Sharpley, to voice her frustration on Instagram, criticizing the club for dragging them through an emotional rollercoaster.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The deal has now been resurrected with Johnson entering the equation. The 25-year-old forward, capped 45 times by Wales, famously scored Tottenham's winner in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final back in May 2025. He subsequently moved to Palace in a 35 million pound deal in January and helped them reach the Conference League final, capturing the club's first-ever European trophy.

"We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a problem mental health is. To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster..."

Megan Sharpley

Despite his European success, Johnson failed to find the back of the net in 26 appearances across all competitions for Palace, which included 13 Premier League starts. Meanwhile, McNeil originally joined Everton from Burnley for 20 million pounds in July 2022, accumulating 15 goals across 128 games.