Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Wales forward Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee of £35m, with the deal concluded on the second day of the January transfer window. The 24-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and is expected to be involved in Sunday's Premier League match against Newcastle United.
Oliver Glasner, the Palace manager, credited the club's hierarchy for moving swiftly to secure Johnson's services. “He arrives very early in the window, so credit to the club for making this happen so quickly,” he said. “Brennan will give us options in our attacking play with his pace and goalscoring ability and with all the upcoming games he will be a valuable addition to the squad.”
Palace have long tracked the former Nottingham Forest player, and the fee surpasses the amount paid for Christian Benteke from Liverpool in August 2016. Johnson, who had limited opportunities at Spurs this season, starting only six Premier League games, was said to be keen to remain in London. He scored the winning goal in Tottenham's Europa League triumph last May.
Johnson expressed his excitement at the move, saying: “Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I’ve always admired. It’s a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on – I’m super-excited.” His departure continues a trend at Tottenham, who have now sold their leading scorers from the past three seasons, following Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Spurs are expected to seek a replacement, with Manchester City's Savinho and RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande among the reported targets.
Palace are not finished yet. They have held talks with Angers regarding 19-year-old forward Sidiki Chérif, though Paris FC are also interested. Glasner is also seeking cover at right-back, with Genk's Zakaria El Ouahdi and Monaco's Vanderson linked, while an ambitious move for AZ's Kees Smit, also wanted by Newcastle and Real Madrid, has been mooted.
Elsewhere, Brighton have confirmed the return of former captain Pascal Gross on a contract until the end of next season. The 34-year-old, who left for Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, was praised by head coach Fabian Hürzeler: “He’s a fantastic player and someone I know well and was looking forward to working with when I first came to the club.”
