Jamie Carragher looks towards a circular frame of David Moyes in Everton gear
Jamie Carragher looks towards a circular frame of David Moyes in Everton gear
Jamie Carragher believes Everton would be silly not to cash in on Dwight McNeil before the winter transfer window closes.
Crystal Palace lodged a £20million offer for McNeil on Monday, which it is reported Everton have yet to respond to.
Everton have ruled out a loan exit for the winger, but it remains to be seen if Palace’s fairly sizeable bid will be accepted.
The problem for Everton is they only have until 7pm to decide one way or another.
And in the view of Carragher, they would be silly to say no.
Jamie Carragher says why Everton should cash in on Dwight McNeil
Carragher was giving his views on the late-window transfer gossip live on Sky Sports News around 45 minutes before the window shut.
The former Liverpool defender was asked specifically about links between McNeil and Palace that seemingly surfaced out of nowhere.
“If Everton can get anywhere near what they paid, which is about £20million, that’s a deal you do if you’re Everton,” he said.
Many Evertonians would agree with Carragher’s sentiment, as £20m for a player who has struggled to make much of an impact at all this term if far too much to turn down.
However, the issue would be that Everton are unable to bring in a replacement.
Tyrique George looks close to joining on an initial loan from Chelsea, but he would be a replacement for Jack Grealish, who is out for the rest of the season.
Everton to take calculated gamble with McNeil exit call
It remains to be seen whether Everton will accept this late offer from Palace for McNeil.
Had it been lodged even 24 hours earlier, the outcome may have been a lot different.
Relegation is not an issue this campaign, and while selling McNeil would weaken David Moyes’ squad options, it is not like the winger is setting things alight.
Indeed, McNeil has started just seven Premier League matches this season.
If that £20m sum can be reinvested in the squad in the summer, it would ultimately benefit the Toffees in the long term.
And if McNeil does depart on Monday, he will leave with nothing but the best wishes of Everton fans.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.