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Crystal Palace’s decision to spend £35 million on Brennan Johnson was supposed to add pace and goals to their attack, but seven months later, his future is surprisingly being discussed.
Johnson arrived from Tottenham in January after losing his regular place under Thomas Frank.
The Wales international had been Spurs’ leading scorer with 18 goals in all competitions during 2024/25 and struck the winner in their Europa League final victory over Man United.
Palace therefore paid a then club-record fee and handed him a contract until 2030, but the expected impact never arrived in the Premier League.
Johnson made 18 league appearances for Palace without scoring. Across his spells with Tottenham and the Eagles, he ended the campaign with two goals and one assist from 34 top flight outings.
Johnson featured seven times during the knockout stages as Palace won the Conference League, adding another European medal to his collection, but his lack of goals created an obvious question for new manager Pierre Sage.
Johnson is at his best when space opens behind a defence. His speed, movement and ability to attack the far post made him dangerous at Tottenham, but he can struggle when opponents sit deep and ask him to create with the ball.
Sage may want a different type of winger, and Dwight McNeil would certainly provide a contrast.
The Everton player lacks Johnson’s explosive pace, but his left foot, crossing and set-piece delivery give him greater creative range. He can operate from the left or move inside as an attacking midfielder.
That said, McNeil also endured a frustrating campaign last term.
Brennan Johnson vs Dwight McNeil - league form last season
Player
Club
Appearances
Starts
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Brennan Johnson
Tottenham and Crystal Palace
34
19
1,722
2
1
Dwight McNeil
Everton
22
14
1,167
0
1
He made 22 Premier League appearances, starting 14, but produced only one assist and failed to score. Competition from Iliman Ndiaye and Everton’s other attacking options left him short of consistent football.
Palace already know the player well.
They agreed a deal worth around £20 million to sign him in February, and McNeil underwent a medical before the transfer collapsed during the closing stages of deadline day.
That history makes the latest development intriguing.
Alan Nixon reports through his Patreon that Palace and Everton have discussed a swap involving Johnson and McNeil.
There is no indication that an agreement is close or that either player has approved the idea, and the valuations also require attention.
Johnson cost £35 million, remains tied down for four more years and is two years younger than McNeil. The Everton winger is approaching the final season of his contract and was valued at £20 million only six months ago.
Everton may therefore need to include money if talks become serious.
At present, this looks like an exploratory conversation, but after Palace came so close to signing McNeil once before, the story cannot be dismissed out of hand.
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