Everton fc star has just terminated his contract to join Nottingham Forest after receiving a very lucrative offer from the club.

Dwight McNeil opens up on transfer collapse and Everton moment that will stay with him
Dwight McNeil has spoken about the collapse of his transfer to Crystal Palace, Everton supporters welcoming him back into the fold and his ambitions for the rest of the season

Dwight McNeil has lifted the lid on the collapse of his Crystal Palace transfer and expressed his determination to help Everton qualify for Europe after working his way back into the side.

McNeil was set to join the Eagles on loan for the rest of the season with an obligation for a £20million summer switch on deadline day of the winter window

But the deal collapsed at the south London club’s end at the 11th hour with the 26-year-old’s partner Megan Sharpley taking to social media to hit out at how the confusion had left them “broken-hearted” and “hurt more than I can say.”

Speaking in an interview first published in the official matchday programme for Everton’s game against Chelsea on Saturday, McNeil said: “It was difficult because it was going to be a big change for me, and it was just to go and play football. I was struggling for minutes here at the time.

“So, it was a difficult, difficult day, A lot went on. We had to sign the extension forms until nine o’clock, and then, it all just fell through at the last minute

“So, it was difficult because it went that far down the line, but it didn’t happen and it wasn’t meant to be.

“It would’ve been me leaving home because this is where I’ve lived all my life and Meg’s the same with her family. She’s really close to her family, so it would have been a big change for her.

“Meg has a big emphasis on ‘everything happens for a reason.’ So that’s the way I’m looking at it.

I’ve got to say, all the lads have been a massive help. I’m really close with a few of them, in particular, and, obviously, they checked in on me as soon as it happened on the night, some of them rang me.

“I want to say a big thank you to all of them, to be honest, because they’ve been first-class and really helped me. I feel like I’m coming through it now and I’m just focused on finishing the season strongly.”

Following the transfer collapse, McNeil was not in the squad for the next two games against Fulham and Bournemouth, but after being an unused substitute against Manchester United, he has now started Everton’s last four matches against Newcastle United, Burnley, Arsenal and Chelsea.

He produced an impressive display against his former club Burnley as the Blues secured their first home win in almost three months and was given a standing ovation from the home supporters when substituted three minutes from the end.

McNeil said: “It was a lovely moment. Something that will stay with me.

“It was just nice to have that reception from the fans. I really appreciate it, and like I say, that will stay with me for a long time. I think it was my best performance this season.

It’s been a difficult season for me. With everything that’s gone on off the pitch, being injured last year and then trying to get my way back into it.

“But I think the game against Burnley, I was just myself and I really enjoyed it. It’s just nice to be playing again.

“I was confident in myself and my ability. So, it was about getting stuck in and doing my best.

For the next few weeks after it, I was trying to get my head around what happened. But then, we had a chat, me and Meg; my agent; and my family; about what I can do from now until the end of the season.

“I’ve loved playing for Everton, ever since I signed, from day one. I got my head down and I trained as hard as I could every day, just trying to get that confidence back, really.

“I knew I had nothing else to lose in that moment, so now I’m just focused and I’m just trying to play as well as I can.

I’m here and I want to do well for the club. This is where we are and we want to finish the season off strong and hopefully help the team get into Europe.”

Everton boss David Moyes told the ECHO last summer in an exclusive interview at the team’s Chicago hotel: “I’ve got an ambition to see if I can get Everton back towards European football.”

Given the ability now at the club, the Rochdale-born player can see the manager’s determination.

Asked if this is the strongest Blues squad he’s known, McNeil said: “Definitely, I think with the quality and talent-wise. The quality has gone up and that’s shown with where we are in the league this season.

“It was difficult in the past seasons for different reasons, with the stuff going on off the pitch around the club. But now it’s starting to change. We’re in a new stadium and, like I say, new players have been coming in.

That’s something I want to be part of, to try and get the club back to what we used to be.

“The gaffer knows the club inside out, especially after his first spell here. He was here for so long, and he was really successful with the club, and that’s what he’s come back in to do.

“Ever since he’s entered the building, that has been his big emphasis on getting the club back to where it was, but the job’s not done yet. We still know there’s a long way to go, but that’s the target – and everyone is giving everything to get it back there as soon as possible.”

Dwight McNeil is reportedly being eyed by Nottingham Forest as a potential signing, with manager Sean Dyche keen on reuniting with the winger. McNeil has struggled for minutes at Everton this season, making just one league start under David Moyes. Dyche, who managed McNeil at Burnley and Everton, believes the 26-year-old could be a valuable addition to Forest’s squad, potentially partnering with striker Chris Wood ¹ ².

*Transfer Rumors*

– Forest is looking to sign McNeil on loan, but Everton is only interested in a permanent sale.
– The transfer could be worth around £20-23 million, with McNeil’s contract entering its final year in the summer.
– Other Premier League teams are also interested in signing the winger ³ ⁴ ⁵.

*McNeil’s Stats*

– 26 years old, left wing
– 103 appearances, 15 goals for Everton
– 425 games, managed by Dyche at Burnley