Everton and Crystal Palace have completed a swap deal that sends winger Dwight McNeil to Selhurst Park while Wales international Brennan Johnson moves to Goodison Park. Everton have confirmed that the 25-year-old Johnson has signed a four-year contract, with McNeil moving in the opposite direction on the same terms after both players underwent medicals on Monday.
According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the two clubs had been in discussions over an exchange deal rather than a conventional cash sale, with both players said to be keen on the switch. A separate report from The Sun suggested the arrangement would not involve any transfer fee changing hands, and this was corroborated by a separate transfer roundup report, which described the deal as a straight swap with no cash involved. That contrasts with the same Yahoo Sports report, which had earlier indicated Everton also discussed an offer of £15m plus McNeil for Johnson, pointing to a valuation still being placed on the Wales forward before the clubs settled on the swap structure.
How was the deal finally completed?
Medicals for both players were scheduled for Monday, 10 August, and, per the transfer roundup report, this marked the point at which the swap moved from an agreed framework into its completion stage. Everton have since confirmed Johnson's arrival on a four-year deal, and the same report indicated that both players' contracts include an option for an additional twelve months, extending their potential terms at the two clubs beyond the initial four-year length previously reported.
Why did the previous McNeil deal collapse?
McNeil, 26, came close to joining Palace in February when the clubs agreed a loan-to-buy arrangement that would have become a permanent £20m transfer this summer. That move fell apart because the necessary paperwork was not completed in time, despite McNeil having already passed a medical examination.
The failed transfer prompted a public response from McNeil's partner, Megan Sharpley, who criticised Palace in a post on Instagram over the impact the collapsed deal had on him.
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.
The transfer has now been resurrected, but with Johnson included as part of an exchange rather than McNeil moving on his own.
Why is Johnson leaving Palace so soon?
Johnson, 25, only joined Palace from Tottenham in January 2026 in a club-record £35m deal, and has been capped 45 times by Wales. He scored the winning goal for Tottenham in their 1-0 Europa League final victory over Manchester United in May 2025, but has struggled to find the same form since his move to south London. The transfer roundup report noted that Johnson's January move had initially been reported as a club-record signing before later being overtaken by the arrival of Jørgen Strand Larsen at Palace.
Per Yahoo Sports, Johnson is understood to have struggled to settle at Palace since his arrival, which is being cited as a factor behind the club's willingness to include him in the swap. In all competitions for Palace, Johnson failed to score in 26 appearances, including 13 Premier League starts. A separate account from the transfer roundup report put the figure at 18 Premier League appearances without a goal, a discrepancy that may reflect the difference between starts and total appearances. He was an unused substitute when Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to win the Conference League, their first European trophy, though he did help the side reach that final.
The same roundup report indicated that Palace were taking a significant financial hit on Johnson's valuation given the £35m they paid in January, and that the winger was believed to be earning more than £100,000 a week at Selhurst Park.
McNeil, meanwhile, has scored 15 goals in 128 appearances across all competitions since joining Everton from Burnley for £20m in July 2022.
How do the two clubs compare after last season?
Everton finished 13th in the Premier League last season, with Palace two places further down the table in 15th. Despite that league finish, Palace qualified for the 2026-27 Europa League on the back of their Conference League triumph.
The two sides are also set to face each other on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, with the fixture scheduled for Saturday, 22 August at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Both clubs have been active elsewhere in the transfer market this summer. Everton have also been closing in on a permanent deal for Chelsea winger Tyrique George following his loan spell, while Celtic have confirmed Everton's interest in Alastair Johnston amid other transfer business north of the border. Palace, for their part, are reported to be closing in on a deal to send defender Danny Imray to Wrexham, while Adam Wharton has also attracted interest from elsewhere in the top flight. On the women's side, Palace have also signed Tottenham defender Molly Bartrip on a three-year deal following their promotion to the Women's Super League.
What happens next?
Per a report from the BBC's sport desk, Everton and Palace had been hoping to conclude the swap deal this week, with medicals for both McNeil and Johnson scheduled for Monday. Official confirmation followed shortly after those medicals were completed, with Everton announcing Johnson's four-year deal. Both players are expected to be available for selection before the two clubs meet in the Premier League on 22 August.
Key Facts
- Everton have confirmed the completion of a swap deal sending Dwight McNeil to Crystal Palace and bringing Brennan Johnson to Goodison Park.
- Both players underwent medicals on Monday, 10 August, and have signed four-year contracts, reportedly with an option for a further year.
- Johnson joined Palace from Tottenham for a club-record £35m in January 2026 but managed no goals in 26 appearances, though reports vary on whether that included 13 or 18 Premier League appearances.
- A previous £20m McNeil-to-Palace move collapsed in February after paperwork was not finalised in time.
- Everton host Palace in the Premier League season opener on Saturday, 22 August at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
