There was drama on Tuesday night as Crystal Palace pulled out of a move to sign Dwight McNeil from Everton at the eleventh hour.
The Toffees finished the window with one new signing in Tyrique George.
But the George signing rather took a back seat last night, as Crystal Palace made a late move for McNeil.
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Palace saw a late bid for McNeil accepted and everything appeared to be on track for him to move to Selhurst Park.
But, after a deal sheet had been submitted and the player had even completed a medical, Palace pulled the plug.
Journalist David Ornstein has reported that Palace changed the conditions of the deal to sign McNeil. Initially they were going to sign him permanently, but then wanted a loan with an obligation after Jean-Philippe Mateta wasn’t sold.
Palace ended up walking away, leaving the player devastated – and Everton have now sent a public message to the winger.
Deadline day is now done… what’s your thoughts, Toffees? 😬
What more could have been done? 🫣
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Everton send classy message to Dwight McNeil
Palace’s behaviour has been called out by many.
What happened hasn’t really been seen very often before, and one has to feel for McNeil who had been set on making the move, which would have suited all parties.
But that was taken away from him, and he now has to regroup.
Dwight McNeil ahead of playing for Everton.
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It’s a tough situation, but this morning Everton have shown their support publicly for the player.
Sharing a snippet of an Instagram message from McNeil’s partner, the club said: “Still one of us and a big few months ahead. Everyone at Everton is behind you, Dwight. 👊💙”
That Everton have sent this message and with this kind of tone, it’s clear that Palace were the reason this move did not come to fruition.
A tough moment for McNeil
With the details that are now emerging about Palace’s move for McNeil, it is hard not to feel sorry for the winger.
This was a big deal for him and by the sounds of it, Palace have not conducted themselves very well, dropping contact with the player when everything had been agreed.
It seems he has been royally messed around, and the confusion cannot have been easy for McNeil and his partner to deal with.
It is important now that Everton provide the player with support. There is absolutely no doubt they’ll do that, and hopefully McNeil can emerge from this setback and rediscover some form on the pitch.
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