Alious
Dwight McNeil’s dramatic non-departure from Everton on transfer deadline day is still raising eyebrows — and the story may be about to take another twist.
Crystal Palace had reportedly seen a £20 million offer accepted for the winger as the evening deadline loomed. Everything seemed set for a late switch, only for communication from Palace to stall at the final hurdle. The deal collapsed, leaving McNeil — and even those close to him — frustrated as a long-anticipated move slipped away.
Since David Moyes’ return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium dugout, McNeil has found regular starts harder to come by, making the failed exit an even tougher pill to swallow. But instead of pushing him out the door again, Everton now appear ready to flip the script entirely.
### McNeil in line for surprise new deal
Despite fan surprise over the £20m valuation — a figure many felt didn’t match his recent influence — Everton may now look to secure McNeil’s future rather than cash in.
Reports suggest the club are preparing to offer the 24-year-old a fresh contract following the chaos of deadline day. His current deal, signed in 2022, runs until the end of next season. That timeline is key to what could be a calculated play from the club’s ownership.
### Why the Friedkins’ thinking might be sharp
At first glance, offering new terms to a player you were prepared to sell days earlier seems contradictory. But financially, it could be a clever move.
If McNeil stays on his existing deal, he enters the summer with just a year remaining — a situation that would inevitably slash his transfer value. Everton would have little leverage, and interested clubs would know it.
Tie him down to longer terms, though, and the picture changes. His market value stabilizes, bargaining power returns, and Everton regain control of any future negotiations. From a business standpoint, it’s asset protection 101.
### The player’s dilemma
What benefits the club, however, may not suit McNeil.
A new contract could come with improved wages, but it might also limit his chances of securing a move elsewhere in the near future. Signing could mean committing to a longer stay at a club where his role has become uncertain.
From his perspective, waiting for the summer window without extending might be the smarter path, even if it weakens Everton’s hand. That scenario still likely brings a respectable fee — just not the £20m figure recently floated.
So while Everton’s hierarchy may see a long-term contract as a strategic win, convincing McNeil could be the real challenge.
Alious
