Crystal Palace Set to Sign Brennan Johnson Amidst Intense Competition

Towards the end of December, reports surfaced regarding Crystal Palace’s interest in Brennan Johnson, as the FA Cup holders aimed to bolster Oliver Glasner’s somewhat limited squad. The team has been notably light in their roster, and the absence of Ismaila Sarr due to Africa Cup of Nations duty has underscored the urgent need for another forward capable of threatening the opposition’s goal. Initial talks with Tottenham culminated in an agreed fee of £33.5 million, although other Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Everton, were also reportedly interested in securing Johnson’s services.

As multiple clubs expressed their interest in the Welsh international, BBC Sport reported on Thursday that Johnson opted to join Crystal Palace after discussions with head coach Glasner and other members of the club’s management.

Glasner’s contract at Selhurst Park is set to expire at the end of the season, and there are speculations about his potential departure in the summer. As the first manager in Palace’s history to guide them into European competition, he has been linked with the managerial position at Chelsea following Enzo Maresca’s dismissal on New Year’s Day.

Johnson initially joined Tottenham on deadline day of the summer 2023 transfer window for a fee of £50 million ($67 million) from his boyhood club Nottingham Forest. He quickly became a favorite under then-Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou, netting five goals and providing 11 assists across 34 appearances in his inaugural season.

However, Tottenham struggled at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, leading to social media criticism directed at Johnson. Nonetheless, he managed a remarkable resurgence, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in all competitions, with his most significant contribution being the winning goal against Manchester United in last May’s Europa League final.

Thomas Frank, who previously attempted to sign Johnson during his tenure as Brentford’s head coach, succeeded Postecoglou at Spurs for the 2025-26 season. Despite Johnson’s talents, he has fallen down the pecking order, making only six Premier League starts this season and failing to score in the league since August.

Despite ongoing speculation about Johnson’s potential exit, Frank has consistently played down the likelihood of a sale. At a recent press conference, he stated, “There are rumors out there; in general, I will not comment on that, regardless of whether we want to sign or sell a player or make staff changes. I have no interest in commenting either way. Brennan is a very important player for us. Sometimes circumstances change when another player is brought in. Unfortunately, [Mohammed] Kudus has come in and done well on the right side, making it more challenging for Brennan to secure starts.”

Frank continued, “Brennan possesses many valuable attributes, including excellent pace and goal-scoring ability. His work ethic is commendable, but a successful team requires more than just 11 players. I believe Brennan is a top professional, and he trained well today, demonstrating his readiness for our upcoming match.”

If all necessary paperwork is filed with the Premier League on time, Johnson could make his debut for Palace on Sunday when they face Newcastle. He is also anticipated to be introduced to the Selhurst Park crowd for the first time next Wednesday during their match against Aston Villa, followed by an FA Cup tie against non-league side Macclesfield.