Pierre Sage
Crystal Palace look to have run out of patience with Brennan Johnson and are willing to send him to Everton in exchange for Dwight McNeil.
Johnson joined Palace from Tottenham Hotspur in January for £35 million, making him the second most expensive signing in the club's history. The Welsh attacker had been expected to bounce back after a difficult end to his spell at Spurs but he has endured a disastrous run of form at Selhurst Park.
The 25-year-old hasn't managed a single goal in his 18 appearances since joining the Eagles. He has also failed to earn a starting berth, and a trial as a right-wing back under former manager Oliver Glasner didn't result in any improvement.
Crystal Palace Ready To Swap Brennan Johnson
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Johnson has appeared to be a team player during his struggles but his performances have left the Selhurst Park faithful extremely disappointed. It appears Steve Parish and the board have also grown frustrated with the Welshman and are already prepared to part ways.
According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Palace have been in talks with Everton over a swap deal involving Johnson and McNeil. The Toffees' winger had been set to join the South Londoners in January, but he was left angered after they pulled the plug.
The Eagles appear ready to make it up to McNeil and want to use Johnson to secure his arrival. The 26-year-old could be keen on the switch given he'll have the chance to play in the Europa League under new manager Pierre Sage.
Crystal Palace transfer targets
Dwight McNeil - Potential swap deal on
David Moyes and Dwight McNeil
McNeil has fallen down the pecking order since David Moyes returned to Merseyside and encountered similar form to Johnson last season. A swap deal could help both players get back to their best in a new environment.
A Signing to Forget For Palace
Steve Parish
Given how much money Palace spent on Johnson, he'd have been expected to take up a starting role. He fared well for much of his time at Spurs but never came close to replicating his eye-catching displays at Nottingham Forest at the start of his Premier League career.
Henry Swain of Let's Talk Palace gave a grim verdict on Johnson and his mentality months after his big-money arrival:
||
Brennan Johnson (Premier League 2025-26) Value
Appearances (Starts)
Minutes Played
Goals
Expected Goals (xG)
Assists
Expected Assists (xA)
Shots
Shots on Target
Touches in Opposition Box
Big Chances Created
Oliver Glasner
Oliver Glasner
That assessment is how many Palace fans view Johnson's time with the club thus far, and he has flopped given the amount of money spent. Whether he's been dealing with a lack of confidence following his Spurs spell is unclear, but an early departure certainly looks to be on the cards.