Brennan Johnson: How Crystal Palace will benefit from 'hidden details' of Everton sale

Crystal Palace are set to benefit from letting Brennan Johnson join Everton in a swap deal despite the deal looking bad on paper.

The 25-year-old is set to join Everton in a swap deal for Dwight McNeil, with no incoming fee, despite making the £35million move to Selhurst Park just seven months ago.

However, the Wales international is believed to be on a significant weekly wage on his contract which is set to run until 2030 after penning a long-term deal in January.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace's chief decision-makers will know "hidden details" that have made the deal viable.

Saving on Johnson's lofty wages, alongside potential benefits including avoiding bounses and add-ons included in the deal with Tottenham, could be key to the move.

Fans have been urged to trust the board's decision-making, given the fact the inner workings of the agreement are not public, but will be beneficial to both clubs involved.

What is the latest on Brennan Johnson to Everton?

Football Insider revealed on 9 August that Crystal Palace are prepared to let Johnson leave this summer, with Everton seen as the front-runners after talks took place.

Since then, an agreement has been reached between all parties, with suggestions that medicals could take place for both Johnson and McNeil this week.

Questions are being asked, largely among Palace fans, about the benefits of a straight swap when they valued Johnson so highly in January, but they have been urged not to worry.

"It's certainly a strange one, doing a straight swap for a player they spent all that money on," Brown told Football Insider.

"It's very easy to criticise from the outside looking in, especially with a deal like this one where, on the face of it, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

"Crystal Palace paid £35million for Johnson in January, and now they're letting him go in a straight swap just a few months later, which is definitely a surprising move.

"But there will be hidden details and further implications which Crystal Palace's decision-makers will know, but they aren't public knowledge.

"Then you have to take into account that they're getting his wages off the bill, and he's not on a small fee after that move from Tottenham, plus any bonuses that might have been involved.

"Sometimes you just have to trust that the people at the top will know the inner workings of these moves and how they will benefit them, because they wouldn't throw him away for nothing."

Are Crystal Palace facing issues with the new SCR rules?

Despite high hopes heading into this summer, it has proved to be a frustrating window so far for Crystal Palace, with a lack of major funds spent on new players.

This comes amid ongoing concerns about the club's financial position, with new squad cost ratio ruled believed to be restricting their activity.

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 31 July that Crystal Palace will likely face issues with SCR, but the result will not be as serious as they may fear.

Having qualified for the Europa League following their Conference League victory last season, Palace are expected to generate funds by going deep into the competition.

Meanwhile, there are expected to be sales at Selhurst Park before the window closes, which could open the door for more incoming players to arrive.