TransferBBC SportUnverified source· 11 Aug 2026
Palace chairman reached out to McNeil's partner before move
After a failed January transfer, Crystal Palace's chairman personally contacted Dwight McNeil's partner to smooth things over.
D. McNeil
player
Player
Dwight McNeil
From
Everton
To
Crystal Palace
Fee
Swap deal involving Brennan Johnson
What happened. Dwight McNeil completed a move to Crystal Palace on Tuesday, signing a four-year contract in a swap deal that sent Brennan Johnson to Everton.
- McNeil nearly joined Palace in January on a loan-to-buy deal worth £20m, but it fell through due to paperwork issues.
- His partner Megan Sharpley criticized Palace on Instagram, prompting chairman Steve Parish to reach out.
- McNeil scored 15 goals in 128 games for Everton after joining from Burnley for £20m in 2022.
“To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster and to be toyed with until the final minute.”
— Megan Sharpley
The move marks a fresh start for McNeil after the January disappointment, with Palace securing a key midfielder.
In this story
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Everton sign Johnson from Palace in transfer swap for McNeil
Daily Mail Football
Crystal Palace and Everton complete rare swap deal as Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil trade places
BBC Sport
Everton and Palace complete McNeil-Johnson swap
Daily Mail Football
Crystal Palace hold clear-the-air talks with Dwight McNeil's girlfriend ahead of imminent transfer - after she hit out at club over failed January move
