CRYSTAL PALACE’S last-gasp £20million swoop for Dwight McNeil has fallen through.
The Everton winger, 26, was understood to be undergoing a medical barely an hour before the transfer deadline.
McNeil’s importance was set to wane on Merseyside following Everton’s swoop for Tyrique George.
The Toffees appeared to sanction a late deal flog McNeil, which would have taken Palace’s January spending to £98m following the arrivals of Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
But according to the Telegraph’s Paul Joyce, Palace pulled the plug on the deal.
McNeil arrived at Goodison Park from Burnley in the summer of 2022 for around £20m.
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But his importance to the Toffees waned following the departure of his ex-Clarets boss Sean Dyche.
McNeil has started just seven Premier League matches this season – although all of these have come in their last eight games.
The Rochdale-born ace has made 120 Everton appearances to date, scoring 15 times and laying on 19 assists.
Palace had a busy deadline day, confirming a last-gasp £43m swoop for Wolves striker Strand Larsen.
Upon completing his switch, the forward said: “I’m really excited to come to Crystal Palace. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now.
“I’m here to bring energy and goals, and to try to do my best for the club.”
Palace agreed a £30m deal to sell Jean-Philippe Mateta to AC Milan.
But the transfer dramatically fell through after a knee issue was detected in the Frenchman’s medical.
It is now understood that Mateta requires surgery, and will stay at Selhurst Park.
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