Medical booked: Tottenham agree club-record deal with Crystal Palace for first January signing

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed their first exit of the January window with Brennan Johnson poised to join Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace have agreed a club-record £35m deal with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Brennan Johnson with the latest reports indicating a medical has been booked for the Wales international.

The forward was Spurs’ top goal-scorer last season and netted the winner in the Europa League final as the North London club lifted the trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao.

However, Johnson has become a more fringe figure under Thomas Frank with summer signing Mohammed Kudus preferred as the right-wing option by the Danish boss. If the sale is finalised, Johnson will be the fourth most expensive exit from Spurs, with only Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Gareth Bale costing more.

For Palace, he will be their record signing - surpassing the fee they paid for Christian Benteke back in 2016 when the Belgian striker joined the Eagles from Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Spurs signed Johnson in the summer of 2023 for £47.5m, as they are not set to make a £12.5m loss on the player.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday afternoon that a medical was due to take place within in the next 24 hours with the transfer moving closer to completion.

Other Premier League clubs had been interested in Johnson, with Sunderland and Everton reportedly putting in late calls while Bournemouth were ready to pay the fee. Aston Villa were another side linked.

The move will be a boost for Palace’s attacking ranks, with Oliver Glasner currently without Ismaïla Sarr and now Eddie Nketiah.

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Brentford on Thursday, Frank was questioned on Johnson’s future but refused to say too much. He said: “Again, this is the third time I think I've got this question. There's rumours out there, in general I'll not comment on that, no matter if we want to sign or sell a player, or get a staff member in or out. I've no interest in commenting either way.”

He added: “He contributed to a very good and important win against Crystal Palace. He trained very well today. I expect him fully to be available and able to play against Brentford.”

He now looks unlikely to face Brentford but looks set to join Palace in time for their clash with Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.