Crystal Palace reportedly held talks with Dwight McNeil's girlfriend before agreeing to sign the Everton forward in an unusual straight swap. The proposed move to Selhurst Park is on the verge of completion, with the 26-year-old due to undergo a medical on Monday.
McNeil is being swapped with Brennan Johnson, who joined Palace for a club-record transfer fee only seven months ago. The deal is a straight swap with no transfer fees involved, which is uncommon in modern football. Unless either player fails a medical, the moves are expected to be announced over the next few days.
Clear-the-air talks
The move comes after Palace chairman Steve Parish sought out McNeil's girlfriend, Megan Sharpley, for clear-the-air talks following the player's failed move in February, according to The Times.
McNeil was set for a deadline-day transfer to replace Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was expected to join AC Milan. However, when he failed a medical at the San Siro, Palace withdrew their interest.
They submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League, allowing them extra time to get the move over the line, but pulled out at the last minute.
Furious response
The failed move sparked a furious response from Sharpley, who said on Instagram that there had been "radio silence" from Palace and that McNeil's mental health had been affected.
She wrote: "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. 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?"
Third summer signing
Six months after McNeil's failed move, he is finally set to join Palace as their third summer signing. They have already welcomed Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu since the end of last season, with both players arriving on free transfers.
Palace are also finalising a deal to land Union Saint-Gilloise right-back Anan Khalaili in a £21million switch. He underwent a medical on Sunday and is expected to sign a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.
Johnson, meanwhile, will be hoping to kick on at Everton, having struggled to impress since joining Palace in a £35m deal back in January. He has failed to score in 18 league appearances for the Eagles and is believed to be among the club's highest earners, taking home in excess of £100,000 per week.
