Everton and Palace in swap deal talks: McNeil and Johnson’s futures hang in balance

Everton and Crystal Palace are finalising a swap deal that would send Dwight McNeil to Selhurst Park and Brennan Johnson to Goodison Park, two players whose futures have been intertwined by failed transfers and unfulfilled promises. The exchange, which both clubs aim to conclude this week, revives a McNeil move that collapsed in February when Palace’s paperwork stalled despite a completed medical and an agreed £20m fee. His partner Megan Sharpley’s criticism of the club’s handling—posted on Instagram—highlighted the emotional toll of a process that left him “dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster” before being “torn away at the last second with absolutely no explanation.” Now, with Johnson as the centrepiece of the deal, the move offers both players a chance to reset under new managers and in systems better suited to their strengths.

Why a swap makes sense for both clubs

For Crystal Palace, Johnson’s arrival in January for £35m was a statement of intent under Oliver Glasner, but his 26 appearances yielded no goals, including 13 Premier League starts. His Europa Conference League triumph as an unused substitute in the final against Rayo Vallecano masked a deeper issue: Johnson has struggled to replicate the form that saw him score the winning goal for Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final over Manchester United. Palace’s attack has lacked cutting edge in transitions, and a direct winger who can stretch play could alleviate pressure on Eberechi Eze. McNeil, meanwhile, offers a left-footed option on the opposite flank, a profile that complements Jeffrey Schlupp’s right-sided play and fits Glasner’s preference for vertical, progressive football.

Everton, meanwhile, need to address a creative drought. McNeil’s 15 goals in 128 games since his £20m move from Burnley in 2022 have come in bursts, but his underlying numbers—particularly his xG and progressive carries—suggest he is capable of more. Under Sean Dyche, Everton have laboured to break down deep blocks, and a player with McNeil’s ability to drift inside and shoot from range could add unpredictability. Johnson, despite his struggles at Palace, brings elite pace and directness that Dyche’s system often lacks. His ability to pin full-backs and create second-ball situations would add a dimension Everton have missed since Anthony Gordon’s departure.

Squad balance and financial pragmatism

The swap’s financial logic is straightforward. McNeil’s £20m valuation aligns closely with Johnson’s £35m fee minus the 18 months he has spent at Palace, while both clubs avoid the complications of selling high or buying low in a depressed market. For Palace, offloading Johnson’s remaining contract—reportedly two years—to Everton in exchange for McNeil’s £20m release clause eases wage pressure without triggering a fire-sale. Everton, meanwhile, recoup some of McNeil’s initial outlay while addressing their need for a more dynamic wide option. The deal also sidesteps the Premier League’s profit-and-loss rules by keeping both fees within the same transfer window, a factor that may have swayed reluctant boards.

Positionally, the swap addresses glaring weaknesses. Palace’s attack has been too reliant on Eze’s creativity, with insufficient width from their wingers. McNeil’s tendency to cut inside from the left could force opponents to respect his shooting, opening space for Eze to operate centrally. Everton, meanwhile, have lacked a natural right-sided creator since Gordon’s exit; Johnson’s ability to play as a false winger or even a second striker would give Dyche tactical flexibility. Both players also fit the clubs’ broader philosophies: McNeil’s work rate and pressing intensity suit Glasner’s high-pressing style, while Johnson’s energy and directness align with Dyche’s counter-pressing system.

Tactical fit and player profiles

The crux of the deal lies in positional versatility. McNeil, primarily a left-winger at Burnley and Everton, has shown he can play as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, a role that would allow him to link play between midfield and attack. At Palace, he would compete with Michael Olise and Adam Wharton for the left-sided berth, but his ability to play through the thirds—rather than hugging the touchline—could elevate the entire attack. Johnson, meanwhile, has been deployed as a right-winger, left-winger, and even a false nine at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. His greatest asset is his ability to receive the ball in half-spaces and drive at defenders, a trait Everton have lacked since Gordon’s departure. Dyche’s preference for a front two with a mobile striker (like Dominic Calvert-Lewin) would allow Johnson to rotate centrally, creating mismatches against centre-backs.

Defensively, both players offer value. McNeil’s pressing triggers and recovery runs would bolster Palace’s mid-block, while Johnson’s willingness to track back could ease pressure on Everton’s full-backs. Neither is a defensive liability, but their primary contributions come in attack—McNeil through chance creation (he averages 1.8 key passes per 90 in the Premier League) and Johnson through progressive carries (he ranks in the top 20% for carries into the final third among wingers). The swap, then, is less about reinventing either player and more about placing them in systems where their strengths are amplified.

As both clubs prepare for their opening Premier League fixtures—Everton host Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 22 August—the swap could be the final piece of their summer jigsaw. For McNeil, it’s a chance to prove he can thrive in a more attacking setup; for Johnson, it’s an opportunity to rediscover the form that made him a £35m signing. The emotional weight of February’s collapse lingers, but in football, second chances are rare—and this time, both players may get the clarity they deserve.

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