Everton and Crystal Palace have finalized a player exchange that brings winger Brennan Johnson to Goodison Park while sending midfielder Dwight McNeil to Selhurst Park. Both players have committed to four-year agreements as part of the arrangement.
Johnson, 25, had only recently arrived at Palace in January from Tottenham, with that transfer valued at £35m. Despite the significant investment, he made limited impact during his time with the southeast London club, appearing in 26 matches without finding the back of the net. His arrival at Everton marks the fifth summer addition for manager David Moyes, following the activated loan obligation of Merlin Rohl and the signings of Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George, and Christian Norgaard.
McNeil, 26, now joins defenders Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu as Palace’s summer additions. The midfielder departs Everton after accumulating 130 appearances, during which he scored 15 goals and contributed 18 assists. His transfer to Palace this summer comes after a failed attempt to join the club in January. That previous effort collapsed due to administrative issues despite McNeil agreeing terms and completing a medical, an incident that prompted criticism from his partner regarding the handling of the situation.
Palace chairman Steve Parish engaged in direct discussions with McNeil and his partner to address concerns before this latest deal progressed. The club has also bolstered its squad through the sale of centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea for £51m, generating significant revenue during the transfer window.
Johnson expressed enthusiasm about joining Everton, highlighting the club’s ambition and the influence of Moyes in his decision-making process. McNeil similarly voiced optimism regarding his move to Palace and the club’s recent competitive achievements.
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