Dwight McNeil’s WAG accuses Palace of ‘toying with psychological well being’ as switch ‘torn away’

Everton’s Dwight McNeil was set to complete a £20million transfer to Crystal Palace, but paperwork was not filed in time and his partner Megan Sharpley has hit out over the collapsed deal

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Everton star Dwight McNeil remains ‘in the dark’ following the collapse of his proposed switch to Crystal Palace as his partner lashed out at the Eagles on social media.

The winger appeared destined for Selhurst Park in a £20million deal, structured as an initial loan with a mandatory buy clause for the summer. Palace submitted a deal sheet in a bid to secure an extra two hours to finalise the transfer as McNeil completed his medical.

Everton believed there was sufficient time to process all necessary documentation, but in a late turn of events, Crystal Palace failed to complete their paperwork before the deadline. Reports have also suggested Eagles striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s collapsed move to AC Milan contributed to the deal falling through. The striker’s proposed switch to the San Siro crumbled on deadline day due to complications during his medical assessment.

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However, according to Sky Sports News, Palace are sympathetic to McNeil’s situation and suggest issues arose because his price rose from a mooted £10m during initial talks with Everton to a fee around double that with clauses and while it was eventually agreed late in the day, there were complications regarding the payment structure.

McNeil’s partner, Megan Sharpley, launched a scathing attack on Palace via Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning over their alleged treatment of the 26-year-old.

In an extensive social media post, she fumed: “Dwight. I’ve always been in awe of your job, the way you’ve committed most of your life to achieve what only the 0.1% achieve. I know you love your job, the sport and you know how lucky you are to do what most people only dreams of.

Daily Star Sport have contacted Crystal Palace for comment.

“We appreciate our lives, how fortunate we are, and the millions of football fans that keep the game alive and ultimately keep you in a job you adore.

“You’ve sacrificed a lot and most people don’t have much of an idea of the difficult hardships you’ve suffered and dealt with in your personal life. And we crack on, that’s who we are, we appreciate how blessed our lives are.

“But the world doesn’t seem to accept that someone as fortunate as you is allowed to suffer hardships and feel sad. But you’re a human, a beautiful incredible 26 year old human being. And no matter about money or the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve, you are allowed to feel.

“Tonight, and the last 48 hours, have broken my heart to see how the football world you love so much can be so cruel to you.

“To have something promised to you, you have been dragged along an emotional rollercoaster, and to be toyed with until the final minute. To have 4 and a half years of your life promised to you, travelling, medicals, agreements made…promises made. To have prepared to move your entire life, our life’s 100 of miles away in the space of a few hours.

“For it to be torn away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation. Going from everything – to radio silence, no phone call, no communication and be left, broken hearted with nothing but confusion, has hurt more than I can say.

“I sit with you, knowing in my heart and deep into my soul that you will bounce back from this. I am your biggest supporter. And I know you will overcome this with a fire in your belly and a motivation that no one can stop. I have already seen it tonight, even whilst you’re facing the lowest point of your career.

“We live in a world where everyone is aware how big of a problem mental health is. So in football, why do we find it acceptable, because these young men are on a lot of money, that it’s okay to mess and toy with their mental health and that’s just ‘part of the job’?

“No matter of money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and fairly. So I really question the industry tonight. I only hope there’s more done in the future to protect people from situations like what I’ve witnessed tonight. Football is brutal and yes, it’s the nature of the beast, but messing with human beings feelings and emotions shouldn’t be acceptable. People only see one side on the media, you don’t see the tears, the emotion and the distress I’ve seen tonight.”

“So here’s to carrying on being an Everton player. The support we’ve had from this club, especially during my illness, has meant a lot on our journey, so let’s keep grinding, keep working and grafting for this badge. Let’s keep going Dwight, show them who you are. I’m right by your side.”

Speaking out for the first time about the deal falling through, McNeil responded to the post, stating: “Whilst even now, I’m still left in the dark. What I do know and have been supported with, I am an Everton player, I will use this as motivation. I love you moo, I couldn’t thank you enough for all your effort and support.”

Everton responded to the situation in a post on X, with the club writing: “Still one of us and a big few months ahead. Everyone at Everton is behind you, Dwight.”

The Star’s sister title, the Liverpool Echo, understands the Blues, who believe they did what they could to facilitate the move and that it collapsed due to issues at the Palace end, plan to make support available to McNeil and his partner to help them deal with the impact of Monday night’s events.

The Echo understands there are concerns within Everton at how the deal collapsed, with club chiefs believing they had worked towards making the move possible. McNeil has found himself on the periphery under David Moyes this campaign, falling behind Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish in the pecking order.

McNeil was on the bench but didn’t play for Everton in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion. Moyes’ team are back in Premier League action at Fulham on Saturday, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be included in the matchday squad.