After the deadline day fiasco regarding Dwight McNeil’s failed £20 million transfer to Crystal Palace, we analyse what future the 26-year-old has at Everton.

McNeil was on his way to London after Everton had agreed with Palace on a deal to bring the forward down south on a four-year deal, when relevant paperwork failed to meet the 7pm deadline.

He had already completed his medical when representatives from Palace’s side went “radio silent”, according to McNeil’s girlfriend, Megan Sharpley.

Palace apparently pulled the plug on the deal after their striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta, had his deal to AC Milan called off.

It leaves McNeil still at Everton, the club he’s been at since 2022, where he has 34 goal contributions in 120 games.

Everton midfielder, Idrissa Gana Gueye, spoke out on the deadline day events as well as supporting his teammate.

Gueye said: “I’m very happy to have him back.”

The Senegalese international added: “He has a lot of quality and he was (a) really important player for us the last few years when we were battling against relegation.

“Still now, he is an important player for us, what happened to him, hopefully he will just put it to the side and show his quality”.

Everton came forward yesterday with a tweet in support of the player, showing everyone’s support for him at the club.

McNeil was a key figure in Everton’s relegation survivals in the 22/23 and 23/24 Premier League campaigns, but has lost his place in the Toffee’s starting XI as of late.

Key individuals such as Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish have hit the ground running at the Blues and has left McNeil resigned to warm the Everton bench for most of this season.

The 26-year-old has 14 appearances, seven off the bench, and only one assist so far.

So, does Dwight McNeil have a future at Everton Football Club?

Unlikely.

The midfielder has been wanting a move since last summer, and has a contract that keeps him at the Hill Dickinson Stadium till 2027, but a move in the next window looks likely.

McNeil was linked with a reunion with previous Everton manager Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest, who had worked with the forward at both Burnley and the Blues.

Everton also managed to sign Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, as David Moyes looks to strengthen his winger options with Jack Grealish out for the season.

Jack Grealish to miss rest of season, says Everton boss David Moyes

Everton take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday 7th February, where McNeil provided an assist in a 3-1 victory for the Toffees last season.

(Featured Image used free under licence from Alamy Images)

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