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

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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

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

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:

Stats courtesy of StatMuse – correct as of 07/08/2026

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.

Manchester United are still chasing a third midfield signing and could turn to Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams to complete their rebuild in the middle of the park.

Adams’ stock has grown during his time at the Vitality, and he was a standout performer for the USA at this summer’s World Cup. He played a key role in the Cherries’ Europa League qualification last season and has several clubs eyeing his signature.

United are believed to be one of them as they explore the market to further overhaul Michael Carrick’s midfield. It’s gone quiet on the transfer front since Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arrived in July.

Man Utd Eyeing Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams

Adams is reportedly on United’s radar and they are one of several Premier League clubs showing interest in the American. Dylan McBennett of Attacking Football claims that Liverpool are also admirers and he is expected to cost a ‘very reasonable fee’.

McBennett wrote:

The 27-year-old’s name has been mentioned before as a potential option for the Red Devils. Formerly of rivals Leeds United, he’s impressed in the top-flight and might be viewed as an ideal rotational squad member.

Adams’ former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could prove problematic in the race for the versatile midfielder. Now at Liverpool, he gave a glowing assessment last season:

GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has already claimed that Adams would be interested in a move to Old Trafford. He also suggested that the player is expected to cost at least £50 million, which isn’t quite as attractive a fee as the initial report indicated.

Stats courtesy of StatMuse – correct as of 07/08/2026

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With Fabrizio Romano previously suggesting a move for Aurelien Tchouameni is ruled out, especially now with Rodri choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid and long-term target Carlos Baleba suffering an injury, time is running out for United to make a third midfield signing. Replacing Casemiro was the priority heading into the summer, and Santos is deemed a long-term successor to his fellow Brazilian.

Man Utd Are Failing Carrick

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INEOS were initially praised for showing patience but fans are starting to become frustrated at the lack of transfer activity. With just two weeks until the new season begins, many expected Carrick to be heavily backed.

Tielemans’ deal came out of nowhere after the club triggered a £35 million release clause in his contract with Aston Villa. The Belgian is an exciting acquisition and follows Santos, who arrived from Chelsea for £50 million.

United were expected to mark a return to the Champions League by swooping for a marquee midfielder. Tchouameni had been a dream signing for INEOS but it became clear as the window progressed that he intended to stay and sign a new deal with Madrid.

It’s not just another midfielder that Carrick obviously needs, as a new left-back and striker should also be on the agenda. They have learned that Newcastle United won’t be selling Lewis Hall, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look elsewhere.

Man United transfer targets

Should no more signings be made, there will certainly be questions asked of the Old Trafford transfer chiefs. It’s quite astonishing that more money was spent on Ruben Amorim, who missed out on Europe, than there is to help Carrick build on a third-place finish.

Djed Spence’s World Cup exploits seemingly haven’t caused a U-turn and Tottenham Hotspur are still ready to sell the full-back.

That’s according to Daily Mirror reporter Darren Lewis, who has suggested it would be a huge shock if he’s still with the Lilywhites when the new season kicks off. His future has been the subject of speculation throughout the summer and his performances for England have put many clubs on alert.

Spence was a standout performer for the Three Lions, starring as the tournament progressed and winning over fans who questioned Thomas Tuchel’s decision to call him up. He put a difficult past season at Spurs behind him with inspired displays, including in the 2-1 loss to Argentina in the semi-finals.

Tottenham transfer targets:

Tottenham Still Expected To Sell Spence

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Tottenham signed Andy Robertson as a free agent before the World Cup and this cast significant doubt over Spence’s future. De Zerbi seems keen to have the veteran Liverpool star compete with Destiny Udogie for a starting berth at left-back.

Lewis gave his thoughts on Spence’s situation and made clear he believes a departure is on the cards. He told Hotspur Lane:

Spence has been at Spurs since July 2022 when he arrived from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to around £20 million. He has struggled to earn a permanent place in the starting lineup but had shown glimpses of promise last season.

The 25-year-old proved his worth during the World Cup and The Athletic’s Jay Harris was one of many to sing his praises: “Djed Spence has shown he was the perfect back-up full-back for the World Cup. Overlapping runs, versatility, tenacity in 1v1 duels and so much more. Spence’s journey over the last two years has been remarkable.”

Likewise football.london’s Alasdair Gold wrote:

Stats courtesy of SofaScore – correct as of 07/08/2026

With two years remaining on his contract, the North Londoners appear eager to cash in off the back of his World Cup campaign. He has many options, including staying in the Premier League or moving to Italy, with Inter Milan thought to have held talks.

Ranking 4 Premier League Clubs Who Should Sign Spence

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

While a move to Serie A could appeal, staying in the English top-flight feels the best solution for a player who will want to cement his place in the England team ahead of Euro 2028. There have been four Premier League clubs linked with the Spurs star and one of them feels the right move for the player and the club.

4 – Newcastle

It’s mayhem at St James’ Park at the moment and new manager Matthias Jaissle could have a completely new-look team next season. Moving to Tyneside right now doesn’t feel like the best idea given how much uncertainty there is with high-profile names constantly heading for the exit.

Newcastle have been tracking Spence though and he could be the versatile full-back to replace Kieran Trippier. A switch that comes with risk due to a transitional period.

3 – Everton

David Moyes’ Toffees have reportedly been showing interest in Spence since early July and he’d be an excellent addition to their squad. The Merseyside outfit are crying out for a new full-back and he’d likely be given a guaranteed starting role.

That said, Spence might be looking further up the table and dreaming of playing in Europe. If Moyes is unable to achieve this, it might not be too long until his name is back on the rumour mill and he’s being talked up for another move.

2 – Liverpool

The right-back position remains an issue for the Reds amid Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley’s fitness struggles. If Spence were to join Andoni Iraola’s side he’d also offer competition to Milos Kerkez at left-back.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool aren’t currently focusing on a deal for the Spurs defender. So with their attention clearly elsewhere, a move to Anfield seems unlikely but does make sense for Iraola and the player.

1 – Man Utd

INEOS need to immediately pivot to Spence after being told Newcastle are not prepared to sell Lewis Hall. Michael Carrick needs more options at full-back with a lack of options to rotate with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw heading into a return to the Champions League.

Manchester United’s transfer activity has gone silent since signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. If they’re not signing Hall, a move for Spence, as mooted, is undoubtedly the answer.