Dwight McNeil saw his £20million move from Everton to Crystal Palace collapse on Monday night after it missed the deadline cut-off.
After opening negotiations on Monday, Palace made a £20m offer, to fend off competition from Nottingham Forest, which Everton accepted.
But with a club record £48million being spent on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta failing to secure a move to AC Milan, Palace were suddenly £30m down on the revenue they expected to bring in.
They went back to Everton to re-negotiate and agreed a loan with obligation on McNeil which would have seen them pay £20m on a set number of games.
McNeil agreed to go and had a medical. A deal sheet was submitted but the mood then went cool.
Everton sources said they fulfilled their part but Palace went quiet on finalising paperwork, effectively pulling out, and the transfer ran out of time.
Everton’s Dwight McNeil move to Crystal Palace is off after the Eagles renegaded on the deal
Everton have signed Tyrique George (right) from Chelsea on loan until the end of the season
Meanwhile, McNeil’s return to Merseyside will see him have a new team-mate after Everton completed the loan signing of Chelsea’s Tyrique George on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
George has made 11 appearances for Chelsea this season, but none under new boss Liam Rosenior.
‘I’m really excited to be here and to enjoy this massive club. I just can’t wait to get started,’ George said.
‘The fans here are exceptional. I know Evertonians are really passionate. They like hard work – and that’s what I’m going to show. I want to be exciting and I want to impress them.
‘The gaffer, David Moyes, was another reason [I wanted to join]. He’s an amazing manager who has coached so many players, like Wayne Rooney, and players like that. I’ve had a brief conversation with him and he’s an amazing person as well.
‘I just want to enjoy it, learn under him and improve.’
