Everton and Crystal Palace are exploring a potential swap deal involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil, with TEAMtalk able to confirm that discussions are ongoing over a complicated agreement.
The Wales international made 18 appearances following his move but managed just one assist, and Palace are now open to finding a solution.
Johnson could have been joined at Selhurst Park by McNeil, who looked set to seal a deadline-day switch to the club in January. A loan deal with a £20m obligation to buy was agreed with Everton, only for the transfer to be aborted at the 11th hour. talkSPORT previously reported that the relevant paperwork was not submitted to the league in time, despite McNeil completing a medical and Palace submitting a deal sheet to be granted extra time. McNeil came close to joining Palace in the winter transfer window this year, but the deal collapsed at the last minute.
McNeil struggled for opportunities at Everton last season, and he needs to leave the club in order to play regularly.
Sources close to the situation have admitted to TEAMtalk that financial regulations make a straight swap deal ‘very difficult’, but not impossible. The Times report that talks have been held over a possible swap deal for McNeil and Johnson, but there is a significant gap in their valuations which will make it difficult to do. After the Eagles paid £35m for Johnson just eight months ago, they will be reluctant to accept that his value has dropped much since then.