Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish went the extra mile in pursuit of Dwight McNeil, reportedly reaching out to the midfielder's partner before finalising his move to Selhurst Park, according to BBC News.
The personal touch appears to have played a part in convincing McNeil to join the Eagles, with Parish keen to ensure the switch worked for the player both professionally and personally. Details of what was discussed haven't been disclosed, but the approach underlines how far Palace's hierarchy were willing to go to get the deal done.
McNeil's arrival adds further competition and quality to Palace's midfield options as they continue building under their current project. The full context of the transfer terms hasn't been outlined, but the club's chairman clearly took a hands-on role in the recruitment process.
It's a reminder that in modern transfer dealings, persuading a player's inner circle can be just as important as agreeing terms with clubs — and Parish's direct involvement suggests Palace were determined not to leave anything to chance in landing their man.