McNeil joins Palace, Johnson to Everton in rare Premier League swap | OneFootball

Dwight McNeil has joined Crystal Palace, with Brennan Johnson heading to Everton in a rare swap six months after McNeil’s failed deadline-day move.

Both players are represented by Unique Sports Group, they carry identical valuations and no cash is due, subject to a Premier League fair market check. The figures will be amortised across four-year contracts. The Athletic has noted swaps are complicated by clauses and image rights, and a Premier League owner said in 2021 that moving two players in one deal is particularly hard.

Everton wanted to move on McNeil, who had a year left, and initially priced him at about £15 million. Signed from Burnley for £20 million in 2022, his book value was about £5 million, so any higher figure helps under SCR. They tracked Johnson and think he could be a bargain if he rediscovers the form that brought 18 goals across all competitions for Tottenham in 2024-25.

Johnson was deemed surplus at Palace soon after a £35 million January arrival from Spurs, starting 13 league games and failing to score in 26. He looked an awkward fit for Oliver Glasner’s system. Palace rate McNeil’s left-foot threat and, after February’s collapse, worked to convince him with a long-term deal and Europa League football.

The clubs meet on the opening weekend at Goodison Park, a chance for both to make a point. Swap deals seldom suit everyone, and whether this one bucks the trend will become clear over time.

Source: NY Times

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