Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, as Paul Joyce reveals the financial details.
McNeil came ever so close to making the move to Selhurst Park during the January transfer window of last season, but a deal fell through at the final hurdle.
Everton and Palace swap deal progress
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
According to reliable journalist Joyce, Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving both McNeil and Johnson in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed that the deal would not involve any additional money and is a straight swap between the two players, with medicals potentially taking place as early as Monday.
Despite having only taken up his new job 41 days ago, Enzo Maresca is already being hailed for transforming a Manchester City player ‘beyond recognition’ during their 3-1 pre-season win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday afternoon.
The Cityzens are soon to start life without Pep Guardiola for the first time in almost a decade when the Premier League gets back underway for the 2026/27 season at the end of August, and it appears his successor has already been an instant hit with his management of one player in particular.
Omar Marmoush scored a brace, while Rayan Ait-Nouri also added to the flourish in the Spanish capital. However, it is another star name getting all the plaudits for how well he performed, with some even comparing him to Lionel Messi.
Enzo Maresca Praised For Transforming Ace Who Looked “Better Than Messi”
Etihad Stadium
City supporters have been very quick to lay praise on January signing Antoine Semenyo, with multiple videos of his dribbling being widely circulated on social media after he assisted two goals in as many minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano. One X user remarked:
“Antoine Semenyo under Enzo Maresca might be a better dribbler than Lionel Messi, what am I watching?!”
A second added: “You guys are not ready for what Enzo Maresca is going to cook with Semenyo next season,” as a third wrote: “He looks like an absolute beast!” Meanwhile, another concluded: “What Enzo Maresca has turned Semenyo into is almost beyond recognition. At this point, he is better than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Luis Diaz, I’m sorry.”
Playing much wider than he did under Guardiola, the Ghanaian international looks set to have another fine Premier League campaign, having already registered at least one assist in each of his side’s three pre-season friendlies so far.
Antoine Semenyo Can Somehow Find An Even Higher Gear
Antoine Semenyo
It’s quite ridiculous to think that people are speaking about the possibility of Semenyo finding a new gear next season. After all, he was one of the best performing Premier League players last season based on stats, contributing to 21 goals in 37 matches with both the Cityzens and Bournemouth, before his £62.5m switch in the winter.
But with Maresca a huge fan of wide formations and the key players in those areas – not forgetting his strike partner is none other than Erling Haaland – the 26-year-old might not have hit his prime yet.
That’s a worrying realisation for the rest of the country, especially as Arsenal and Liverpool struggle to find solutions on either flank heading into the new term.
Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha as they look to address Bruno Guimaraes’ departure.
Guimaraes left St James’ Park and joined Arsenal in a £75 million deal on Saturday, becoming the latest high-profile name to be sold. Sandro Tonali left for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer for £100m, meaning new manager Matthias Jaissle is extremely light in the middle of the park.
The Magpies are preparing for a new era under Jaissle who replaced Eddie Howe following his shock resignation. The German coach needs at least one new midfielder and it appears the higher-ups are plotting a move for one with proven Premier League experience.
Newcastle Eyeing Joao Palhinha
via Reuters
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Newcastle are eyeing Palhinha and view him as an alternative to Pierre-Emile Hojberg. While they have held talks over a move for Hojberg, they could turn to Palhinha, who is expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer.
Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham and impressed despite the Lilywhites’ relegation battle. Spurs opted against signing the Portuguese midfielder permanently and instead swooped for Tonali.
The 31-year-old’s future at Bayern is in doubt as Vincent Kompany prefers others in midfield, and this could lead to him joining a third Premier League club. Aston Villa are also interested in the former Fulham man, who has two years left on his contract at the Allianz Arena.
In the meantime, Newcastle are continuing to hold talks over a deal for Hojberg, which could cost around £13 million. While the Dane has indicated he is keen on joining Jaissle’s Magpies, there is still ‘work to do ‘, and that could lead to Palhinha arriving instead.
Tyson Fury‘s most recent opponent, Mariusz Wach, took a worrying beating in a six-versus-one bout, barely two weeks after his stoppage defeat to the former World Heavyweight champion.
In preparation for the long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, Fury took on Wach in Thailand. The fight wasn’t televised, as it was shown on Fury’s hit Netflix documentary ‘At home with the Fury’s’.
The 46-year-old Wach was stopped on his stool by Fury, after a fight where the Pole looked well past his best.
Mariusz Wach’s Career Explored
Athit Perawongmetha via Reuters
Throughout his career, Wach has fought many big names, including Jarrell Miller, Dillian Whyte and Wladimir Klitschko. Even Fury’s cousin Hughie is on his resume, as the two fought in December 2020.
For Wach, he was always likely to struggle with someone as good as Fury, though he did land a sneaky right hand to draw a gasp from the crowd in Thailand.
However, just weeks after the clash, he already returned to combat sports, though it certainly wasn’t in the way anybody would have expected.
Mariusz Wach Taken Apart in 6-on-1 MMA Fight
Wach’s return took place in an MMA cage, which isn’t even the most confusing part, as he then took on six other fighters, with two of them tagged in at a time. From the off, the opponents were unloading on him, with an array of shots to the head and body.
It’s a similar scene to when Eddie Hall did a two versus one MMA fight, though it was made more fair and competitive, as the duo were significantly smaller, and couldn’t be replaced by four other fighters.
After already showing signs of damage after the first round, even more punishment was inflicted in the next two. He was constantly pinned against the cage wall, with shots landing from anywhere and everywhere.
The fight was tough to watch as the veteran heavyweight was forced to shell up, rarely looking like he was going to land a blow.
Eventually, the fight was stopped, with the corner stepping in to ensure he didn’t take any more damage in the scheduled next two rounds. Despite the fight coming to an early end, he had already suffered huge damage with blood pouring from his face.
