Steve Parish Contacts Spouse Dwight McNeil Before Moving
August 19, 2026 ·
Steve Parish, owner of Crystal Palace, is in contact with partner Dwight McNeil ahead of the midfielder's transfer to the club, after problems occurred with his previous transfer.
Steve Parish Contacts Spouse Dwight McNeil Before Moving
Why this is important
Dwight McNeil's move to Crystal Palace is important in the context of strengthening the club's midfield. With experience playing in the Premier League, McNeil is expected to make a significant contribution to the team's development and improve their performance in the competition. Apart from that, this transfer also shows the dynamics that occur in the transfer market, especially towards the end of the summer transfer window.
Background
Dwight McNeil, who previously played for Everton, has now joined Crystal Palace after a deal involving a swap with Brennan Johnson. As a 26 year old player, McNeil is expected to be able to adapt quickly and contribute to Palace's playing strategy in the Premier League.
Main Points
- Steve Parish Contacts Spouse Dwight McNeil Before Moving.
- Steve Parish, owner of Crystal Palace, is in contact with partner Dwight McNeil ahead of the midfielder's transfer to the club, after problems occurred with his previous transfer.
- Crystal Palace: Co-owner Steve Parish contacted Dwight McNeil's girlfriend before moving - BBC Sport.
McNeil, who is 26, was close to moving to Selhurst Park in the January transfer window when Palace agreed a loan deal which led to the purchase. The deal was planned to be a permanent transfer worth £20 million, but failed to go through due to problems with the paperwork not being completed in time, despite McNeil having passed a medical.
After the deal fell through, McNeil's partner Megan Sharpley expressed her disappointment with Crystal Palace on Instagram, highlighting the importance of mental health in football. "We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a mental health problem this is. So, in football, why do we take it for granted that these young men who earn a lot of money can be played around and it's considered part of the job?" he wrote.
"The promises made, feeling emotionally adrift, and ultimately having to be retracted without explanation has hurt more than I can say," he added. According to BBC Sport, Parish is making approaches to patch things up before this week's deal is finalized.
Dwight McNeil previously joined Everton from Burnley for £20 million in July 2022 and scored 15 goals in 128 appearances with the team. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace has achieved success by winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League in the last two seasons.
"The guys have had great success over the last two seasons. This is something I want to be a part of, so I'm really looking forward to getting started," said McNeil. Parish also heaped praise on McNeil, stating that he is "a player with proven ability in the Premier League".
Brennan Johnson himself joined Palace in a £35m deal in January but has struggled to find his best form, making just 26 appearances in all competitions without scoring a goal. The Welsh winger then moved to Tottenham Hotspur from Nottingham Forest for a fee of more than £45 million in 2023 and scored the winner in the Europa League final in May before joining the Eagles.
What happened next
After this move, Crystal Palace is expected to immediately take advantage of McNeil's abilities on the field. Meanwhile, Everton, who lost Brennan Johnson, may be looking for a suitable replacement to maintain depth in their squad. With the transfer window still open, both clubs will continue to monitor opportunities in the transfer market to strengthen their respective teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was involved in this move?
This move involves Dwight McNeil moving to Crystal Palace, as well as Brennan Johnson moving to Everton.
Where has Dwight McNeil previously played?
Dwight McNeil previously played for Everton after joining from Burnley.
Why did Dwight McNeil choose Crystal Palace?
Dwight McNeil chose Crystal Palace after Steve Parish contacted McNeil's partner to patch things up before the deal was completed.
How much will Dwight McNeil transfer to Crystal Palace cost?
Dwight McNeil's transfer deal to Crystal Palace is set to be worth £20 million.
When will Dwight McNeil's move to Crystal Palace become official?
Dwight McNeil's move to Crystal Palace became official on Tuesday, after the transfer process was completed.