Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish contacted Dwight McNeil's partner before the midfielder's move to the club on Tuesday.
Parish's move to smooth things over came after McNeil's partner, Megan Sharpley, was critical of Palace following the failed transfer in January. Sharpley had written on Instagram: "We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a problem mental health is. So, in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money and that's OK to mess and toy with their mental health and that it's just part of the job? To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster and to be toyed with until the final minute. For that to be torn away from you at the last second with absolutely no explanation has hurt more than I can say."
The failed transfer deal in January would have seen McNeil join Palace on a loan-to-buy deal worth £20m. However, the deal fell through due to issues with the required paperwork. McNeil had already passed a medical, but the transfer ultimately collapsed. The 26-year-old midfielder eventually joined Palace this week in a swap deal that involved Brennan Johnson moving to Everton.
Palace have won the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Uefa Conference League in the last two seasons. McNeil, who joined Everton from Burnley for £20m in July 2022, is looking forward to being a part of the club's recent successes. "The lads have had some great success over the last two seasons. It's something that I want to be a part of, so I'm really looking forward to getting started," McNeil said.
Parish believes McNeil is "a player with proven ability in the Premier League". The midfielder scored 15 goals in 128 games for the Toffees. Johnson, who joined Palace in January, struggled to find form and made 26 appearances without scoring.
Johnson's move to Palace was part of a deal that involved a £35m transfer. However, the Wales winger's time at the club was short-lived, and he has since moved to Tottenham Hotspur. Johnson had previously scored the winning goal in the Europa League final for Tottenham last May.
The swap deal involving McNeil and Johnson is now complete, with the two players set to begin their new chapters with Palace and Everton.
Source: Yahoo Sports