Everton winger Dwight McNeil’s move to Crystal Palace has collapsed.
McNeil appeared to be on the verge of ending a four-year association with Merseyside with Oliver Glasner’s side agreeing an initial loan for the winger.
An obligation to make the 26-year-old’s switch to Selhurst Park permanent for around £20 million is understood to have been brokered on Monday night.
But despite both clubs submitting a deal sheet in advance of the 7pm deadline for the winter window, McNeil’s proposed transfer broke down.
Issue on the Eagles’ end are thought to be behind the derailment as McNeil prepares to remain with the Blues for the reminder of the current campaign.
The former Burnley man has been used sparingly by David Moyes and was a notable omission for last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
McNeil’s previous first-team involvement saw him withdrawn at half time of Everton’s eventual 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United on January 26.
But the winger’s partner Megan Sharpley has hit out at Palace’s conduct in a social media post where she accused them of ‘radio silence’ over the move’s breakdown.
“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,” she wrote on Instagram.
“To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster and to be toyed with until the final minute, to have 4 and a half years of your life promised to you, travelling, medicals, arrangements made, promises made, to have prepared to move your life, our life, 100s of miles away in the space of a few hours.
“For that to be torn away from you at the last second with absolutely no explanation, going from everything to radio silence, no phone call, no communication, and be left brokenhearted with nothing but confusion, has hurt more than I can say.
“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 okay to mess and toy with their mental health and that it’s just part of the job?
“No matter of money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and fairly. So I really question the industry tonight.
“I only hope that there’s more done in the future to protect people from situations like what I’ve witnessed tonight.”
Moyes’ side rounded off deadline day by signing Chelsea prospect Tyrique George, who joined on an initial loan with an option to buy this summer.