Keith Wyness drops hint over second Everton and Crystal Palace deal: ‘Don’t be surprised…’
Everton and Crystal Palace could yet reach a second agreement for right-back Daniel Munoz to move to Merseyside.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that further deals between the two clubs could follow the swap agreement for Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson.
That transfer was confirmed on Tuesday, with Johnson leaving South London after just six months with the Eagles, and Everton offloading McNeil ahead of his contract expiring in June 2027.
Wyness believes that the deal has fair value for both clubs, despite widespread suggestions that his former side have got the better end of the agreement.
Everton have also been linked with Munoz in recent days, with David Moyes and Co. still desperate to solve their lack of options at right-back.
Wyness believes that the Johnson and McNeil swap could potentially provide the trigger for that deal, given that the two clubs have just been locked in lengthy discussions.
Keith Wyness expects Daniel Munoz switch
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that with relations clearly strong between Everton and Palace, a deal for Munoz shouldn’t be ruled out.
He noted that both sides have helped each other drastically with the swap deal, and feels that they may be keen to work towards future deals together.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why he wouldn’t be surprised to see Munoz follow Johnson to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“There's been a lot of reporting that Everton have probably had the upper hand, so to speak. But I actually think it's a very fair swap. I think Dwight McNeil has got a lot to offer for Palace,” he said.
“You can’t evaluate this as purely player for player. You've got to think about how each one adds to the particular system they'll be walking into at each club; that's more important.
“McNeil's got a lot to offer Palace, and certainly if Brennan Johnson fires with his pace and he gets into the right system with Everton, he can also offer it. So it could be a real benefit for both clubs, both on the balance sheet and on the pitch.
“There’s a lot of talk recently about Daniel Munoz, the right-back from Palace, coming to Everton as well.
"There’s a lot going on between those two clubs, and I know that once you start speaking and you get on well with the opposing club, other options do open up, so don't be surprised if that one comes on the agenda as well."
David Moyes is ‘wasting’ Everton star
Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that he believes Moyes would be “wasting” Merlin Rohl if he continues to use him at right-back in the long-term.
The German midfielder has been on hand to provide cover in that position in pre-season and his caught the eye, but is primarily a central midfielder by trade.
Wyness emphasised that Rohl is far more value to Everton in the middle of the park, where his engine and driving runs could have a greater effect.
He even suggested that the 24-year-old could become a new version of former cult hero Marouane Fellaini, due to his ability to bomb forward into the box.