Story perspectives

Palace, Everton negotiate McNeil-Johnson swap before clash

8/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Crystal Palace and Everton are negotiating a swap sending Dwight McNeil to Palace and Brennan Johnson to Everton.
Both clubs hope to finalise the deal this week before their clash on Saturday, 22 August, after McNeil’s February move collapsed when paperwork missed the deadline.
Johnson, a Wales international, joined Palace for £35 million, made 26 appearances and was a substitute in Palace’s UEFA Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano in May.

History

Historical Context

On 31 August 2005 the Premier League’s summer window closed, and a handful of deals collapsed after clubs filed paperwork minutes too late, recalling the high-profile 31 August 2004 deadline when Manchester United completed Wayne Rooney’s £27 million transfer. Chelsea had earlier set a £24 million benchmark by signing Didier Drogba in July 2004. Those repeated blunders led the league to tighten administrative rules for future windows.

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Story summary

Crystal Palace and Everton are negotiating a swap sending Dwight McNeil to Palace and Brennan Johnson to Everton.
Both clubs hope to finalise the deal this week before their clash on Saturday, 22 August, after McNeil’s February move collapsed when paperwork missed the deadline.
Johnson, a Wales international, joined Palace for £35 million, made 26 appearances and was a substitute in Palace’s UEFA Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano in May.

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