Crystal Palace‘s summer transfer business has picked up recently, and there could be two more new arrivals at Selhurst Park this week.
The Eagles and Everton have now reached an agreement over an unusual straight swap deal involving wingers Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil.
Both players are due to undergo medicals ahead of their respective moves, with McNeil finally set to become a Palace player after a deadline day fell through in January.
Meanwhile, it represents a quick end to Johnson’s Palace career. The Wales international only joined from Tottenham Hotspur for a then record £35m in January, but failed to score in his first 26 appearances for the Eagles.
McNeil’s move will provide Palace with a proven Premier League winger possessing considerable creativity and excellent delivery from his left foot. However, he may not be the only new wide player arriving at the club following another transfer development.
Crystal Palace reach Anan Khalaili agreement
According to reports in Israel relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace have also now reached an agreement to sign Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise.
David Ornstein has since revealed that a deal could be worth around £21m, with Khalaili on course to sign a five-year deal with the option of a sixth year while undergoing his medical on Sunday.
The 21-year-old was on course to head to Inter Milan in recent weeks, with the player himself admitting he was “in perfect shape” and ready to play.
However, the Serie A giants pulled out of the deal after what they came across in the medical – an irregularity with how his heart functions.
Khalaili highlighted the fact that he’s played 99 matches across the previous two campaigns, showing his durability to feature regularly.
|
Attribute |
What Anan Khalaili offers |
|---|---|
|
Pace |
An explosive runner who can quickly carry attacks up the pitch and threaten space behind defenders. |
|
Dribbling |
Comfortable attacking opponents one-v-one and using his close control to create openings. |
|
Versatility |
Can operate as a right winger or wing-back, giving Palace flexibility depending on their system. |
|
Directness |
Likes driving towards goal rather than simply retaining possession. |
|
Physicality |
Combines his speed with the strength and athleticism needed to compete with defenders. |
|
Goal threat |
Capable of arriving in dangerous areas and has already demonstrated his finishing on the Champions League stage. |
|
Work rate |
His experience as a wing-back demonstrates a willingness to contribute defensively as well as going forward. |
That could provide some reassurance for Palace as they work towards completing their own transfer.
Khalaili, primarily a right wing-back, has been with Union Saint-Gilloise since 2024 after joining from Maccabi Haifa. The Israel international is still in the early stages of his career but has Champions League experience, scoring three goals in eight games in Europe’s elite club competition last season.
Described as a “top talent” by Henry Swain, Palace are beating a number of Premier League clubs including Man Utd, Spurs and Nottingham Forest to Khalaili’s services.
What that means for Daniel Munoz’s future remains to be seen. The Colombian has been linked with a move away, and Swain has stated that ‘if an offer of £35m or higher came in for Munoz, Palace would have to seriously consider it’.
Therefore, Khalaili could turn out to be Munoz’s replacement, and it appears as if they are similar attack-minded wing-backs.