It could have been one of the highlights of an otherwiise largely disappointing transfer window... but in the end it was just too good to be true: Dwight McNeil is not moving to Crystal Palace for £20M.
McNeil was due to make the switch from Merseyside to south London on loan for the remainder of the season with an obligation to buy for £20M in the summer and become Palace’s second signing of transfer Deadline Day.
However, it is understood that the paperwork was not submitted in time to ensure the deal got over the line, and therefore McNeil will remain with Everton for the remainder of the season.
Reader Comments (40)
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2 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:24:39
3 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:29:01
4 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:40:13
5 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:40:38
Just for once it was looking good for Everton.
6 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:43:33
7 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:44:32
Someone wants sacking, it would have been the best deal of the season.
8 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:49:02
Did Palace offer £20k and for some strange reason, we thought they said £20M?
9 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:49:04
Latest from Sky Sports News' Vinny O'Connor and James Savundra:
Dwight McNeil's move to Crystal Palace from Everton has collapsed.
The deal was for a loan with a £20M obligation if certain thresholds were met.
Sky Sports News understands paperwork was not done in time.
10 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:51:15
11 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:52:31
12 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:52:52
Now that is so old school Everton. I thought TFG were a well-run organisation...
13 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:53:17
Kidding he might have a few big goals for us in him yet. Honestly don't think he's got up to full match speed yet this season.
Welcome back, Dwight.
14 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:53:30
15 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:56:13
Looks like we are stuck with the mopey sod for a bit longer.
16 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:56:29
17 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:59:47
18 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:04:31
And I say this with no malice towards Dwight, just the incompetent bean counters.
19 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:05:41
20 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:06:42
Now that is old school Everton. I thought that TFG were supposed to be the professional organisation we all crave for.
Based on this, nothing has changed.
21 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:11:46
Maybe it was Palace who were late with completing their part of the paperwork?
22 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:12:38
23 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:12:40
24 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:15:21
25 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:18:54
But due to Palace's sale of Mateta collapsing they changed terms from £20M purchase to a loan with an obligation and then pulled out
(Via - David Ornstein)
26 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:20:18
Maybe they saw sense!
27 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:25:02
And like various other new signings, he should not expect much game time.
28 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:25:45
I suspect Dwight will come in useful in quite a few games this season when we are needing to manage games to a successful conclusion.
29 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:32:15
30 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:35:13
It was Crystal Palace that failed to get the paperwork in on time.
31 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:36:38
32 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:36:54
33 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:43:04
34 Posted 02/02/2026 at 22:50:47
Were not going down. We are not going to win a trophy and we wont qualify for a lucrative CL place. I would like TFG to lay it on the line to him now - Give the loyal fans what they want or we'll get somebody who will.
35 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:00:28
hopefully they will have more patience, and will realise we are not yet in a position to move to total football, not with our current fullbacks, and three teenagers in the team.. They will realise there is a mature plan in action to build the team incrementally back to the European spots over the next 2-3 years, and that will be more than enough to meet his job requirements.
36 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:19:26
Mind you; Now that you mention him. He achieved something in one season that Moyes has failed to do in twenty seasons when he won a domestic cup and If you think he will get relegated this season, come and see me on betfair.
By the way. Nobody is calling for "total football". we just want Moyes to stop hiding behind the couch and surrendering possession before a ball is even kicked.
37 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:23:15
38 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:35:13
39 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:36:25
Moyes was given well over 100m for players. he was also allowed to bring in a top class player on loan from City. There is no doubt we have better players than Doucourie and Harrison, but we still surrender the Lions share of possession week in week out Thats on the manager and his cowardly approach
40 Posted 02/02/2026 at 23:46:51
Or at least that is what I'd like to believe because McNeil's race was well and truly run with us.
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1 Posted 02/02/2026 at 21:20:30
I'll not believe McNeil is gone until I see him in a Palace shirt holding the scarf over his head.