Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend offers no resistance as fired after £20m transfer collapses

Everton were set to allow Dwight McNeil to leave and sign for Crystal Palace late on deadline day, but the move fell through at the last moment of the deadline.

Dwight McNeil remains ‘in the dark’ after his proposed move to Crystal Palace collapsed in the final minutes of the transfer window. McNeil looked set to move to Palace for £20m, initially on loan but with a buyout obligation in the summer.

The contract was submitted in an attempt to give Palace an extra two hours to complete the deal as the winger underwent a medical. Everton felt they had enough time to complete the necessary paperwork to complete the deal, but in a dramatic turn of events, Palace’s paperwork was not completed in time.

The cancellation of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s transfer to AC Milan is also claimed to be another reason for the deal to collapse. The forward’s move to the San Siro fell through on deadline day due to medical issues.

McNeil has played a bit role under manager David Moyes this season, following in the footsteps of Iliman Ndiaye, Keiynan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish. However, it now appears that he intends to remain at the club until at least the summer.

And his partner Megan Sharpley took to Instagram early Tuesday morning to slam their treatment of the 26-year-old Palace. “Dwight. I’m always in awe of your work, how you’ve spent most of your life accomplishing things that only 0.1% can accomplish. I know you love your job, you love your sport, and I know how lucky you are to be able to accomplish things that most people only dream of. I’m always in awe of your work.”

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“We are grateful for our lives, our good fortune and the millions of football fans who keep the game alive and ultimately get you the job of your dreams.

“You have sacrificed so much, but most people don’t know much about the difficult challenges you have suffered and dealt with in your personal life. And we are convinced that is who we are and are grateful for how blessed our lives are.

“But the world doesn’t seem to accept that someone as lucky as you is allowed to endure hardship and feel sad. But you’re a human being, an incredibly beautiful 26-year-old human being, and you’re allowed to feel, regardless of the money or the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve.”

“Tonight, and for the past 48 hours, my heart has broken as I learned how cruel the world of football that you love so much has been to you.

“You’re promised something, and you’re dragged into a roller coaster of emotions and at the mercy of every last moment. You’re promised four-and-a-half years of your life, travel, medical care, agreements…promises are made. Being prepared to move your entire life means that our lives can be 100 miles away in a matter of hours.

“To have it ripped away from you at the last moment, without any explanation. To have it all silence, no phone calls, no contact, to be left alone with confusion and broken hearts hurt beyond words.

“I’m sitting with you and I know deep in your heart and soul that you’ll bounce back from this situation. I’m your biggest supporter. And I know you’ll get through this with a fire in your belly and unstoppable motivation. I’ve already seen that tonight, even when you’re facing the lowest point in your career.”

“We live in a world where everyone knows how big of an issue mental health is. So why is it acceptable in football, these young people have so much money, that it’s okay to mess with and play with their mental health, that it’s just ‘part of the job’?”

“Regardless of the money, we are all entitled to respect, kindness, and fair treatment. So tonight, I really question this industry. We need more efforts to protect people from situations like the ones I witnessed tonight. I just hope it happens. Football is cruel and it’s the nature of the beast, but it shouldn’t be allowed to play with human emotions and feelings. People only see one side of the story in the media. They don’t understand the tears, the emotions, the pain that I saw tonight.”

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“I’m here to continue to be an Everton player. The support I’ve received from this club, especially during my illness, has meant a lot in our journey. So let’s keep trying, keep working and graft on to this badge. Keep moving forward, Dwight, show them who you are. I’ll be by your side.”

Breaking his silence on the broken contract, McNeil replied to the post, saying: “Right now, I’m still left in the dark. What I know and what I’ve been supported, I’m an Everton player and I’m going to use this as motivation. I love you and I can’t thank you enough for all the effort and support.”

McNeill did not feature as a substitute for Everton in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Moyes’ side will return to Premier League action against Fulham on Saturday, and it will be interesting to see whether he is included in the matchday squad.

Crystal Palace have been contacted for comment.

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