Everton and Crystal Palace in talks over McNeil-Johnson swap deal
The clubs are negotiating a potential straight exchange of wingers after a failed Palace-McNeil move in January.
Conversation activity · last 32 hours peak 9/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 13 items across 4 sources · 9h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Everton and Crystal Palace are in advanced talks about swapping winger Dwight McNeil for Wales international Brennan Johnson, with both clubs hoping to conclude the deal this week. McNeil, 26, nearly joined Palace in February on a loan-to-buy agreement valued at £20m but the transfer collapsed due to incomplete paperwork. Johnson, 25, joined Palace for £35m in January but has struggled, failing to score in 26 appearances.
- Everton and Crystal Palace are negotiating a straight swap of wingers McNeil and Johnson, hoping to finalize the deal by end of week with medicals potentially Monday.
- McNeil's failed Palace transfer in January—after passing medical but incomplete paperwork—sparked public criticism from his partner about the club's treatment; the revived deal raises questions about his willingness to rejoin Palace.
- Johnson has underperformed since joining Palace for £35m in January, failing to score in 26 appearances; McNeil has been with Everton since 2022, scoring 15 times in 128 games.
- Everton finished 13th in the Premier League last season; Palace finished 15th but qualified for Europa League via Conference League victory, adding sporting attraction to the deal.
How it unfolded
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Report Deal progresses as straight swap exchange
The Times reports that Crystal Palace and Everton are close to agreeing a straight McNeil-Johnson swap, with medicals potentially scheduled for Monday.
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Reaction Fan reaction on ToffeeWeb and Reddit
Everton supporters debate the swap, with some concerned about McNeil's partner's previous criticism of Palace and questioning whether Johnson's poor form justifies the exchange.
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Report Swap deal talks emerge
Reports surface that Everton and Crystal Palace are holding talks over a potential swap deal involving McNeil and Johnson, with the transfer complicated by valuations.
- 27 weeks quiet
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Reaction McNeil's partner criticizes Palace on Instagram
Megan Sharpley posts critical comments about Palace's handling of the transfer, describing it as toying with McNeil's mental health and emotional well-being.
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Event McNeil-Palace deal collapses on deadline day
Dwight McNeil's loan-to-buy move to Crystal Palace falls through despite him passing a medical, as required paperwork cannot be completed in time.
What people are saying verbatim
“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?”
Megan Sharpley, Dwight McNeil's partner · Instagram (quoted in BBC) · Jan 31
“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.”
Megan Sharpley, Dwight McNeil's partner · Instagram (quoted in BBC) · Jan 31
“Improves the squad. Adds pace, can play front 3 positions, and if Moyes can get him right, a player that could score 10 to 15 a season in a position where no one has convinced.”
ToffeeWeb commenter, Everton supporter · ToffeeWeb · Aug 8
“I really find this incredible: last season, Palace pulled the deal at the last minute, and McNeil's partner was very critical of the way Palace had treated them. So, having been let down so badly, why would you be happy to go back and deal with the same board?”
ToffeeWeb commenter, Everton supporter · ToffeeWeb · Aug 8