Dwight McNeil's partner, Megan Sharpley, has criticised Crystal Palace after the winger's proposed £20 million move collapsed on transfer deadline day. The 26-year-old Everton winger was set to join Palace, initially on loan with a compulsory purchase clause, but the deal fell through after Palace failed to complete the necessary paperwork in time.
Sharpley took to Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday to express her dismay, describing the situation as an 'emotional rollercoaster' that left McNeil 'broken hearted with nothing but confusion'. She wrote: 'To have something promised to you, you have been dragged along... to have 4 and a half years of your life promised to you... for it to be torn away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation.'
The collapse of the deal has been linked to Jean-Philippe Mateta's aborted move to AC Milan, which fell through due to complications during his medical. Reports suggest this contributed to Palace's failure to finalise McNeil's transfer. McNeil, who has found himself on the periphery under manager David Moyes, now remains at Everton until at least the summer.
Sharpley questioned the football industry's treatment of players' mental health, stating: 'We live in a world where everyone is aware how big of a problem mental health is. So in football, why do we find it acceptable... to mess and toy with their mental health and that's just 'part of the job'?' She added that McNeil was left 'in the dark' after the deal collapsed, with no phone call or communication from Palace.
McNeil responded to his partner's post, saying: 'Whils' - likely a typo for 'Whilst' - but did not elaborate further. Sharpley concluded by expressing gratitude for the support from Everton, especially during her illness, and vowed to continue supporting McNeil as he 'bounces back' from the setback.
