Everton weigh up surprise swap to land Palace winger

Everton could offer Dwight McNeil as part of a surprise swap deal to sign Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace, according to reporter Alan Nixon.

Writing on his Patreon, Nixon said Everton are exploring a deal that would send Johnson to Merseyside with McNeil moving the other way. The Wales international has struggled since his £35m move from Tottenham in January, scoring twice and adding two assists in 26 appearances for Palace, a season that has left some supporters at Selhurst Park frustrated with the fee they paid.

McNeil’s own campaign was similarly underwhelming. He made just 22 Premier League appearances last season, averaging 54 minutes a game, without a goal and with only one assist. Those numbers explain why Everton would be willing to include him in a straight swap rather than a cash deal.

Deals structured this way rarely go through in full. Palace paid a club-record fee for Johnson seven months ago and are unlikely to accept McNeil alone in return — a straight swap plus a fee in Everton’s favour looks the more realistic shape, if the move happens at all.

Nothing has been confirmed by either club, and reporting so far rests on a single named source rather than club channels or multiple outlets.

Our Everton’s live transfer tracker has the latest on all deals in and around Finch Farm this summer, alongside coverage from the guys at Goodison News, who first reported Nixon’s comments.