West Ham United could revisit their interest in Everton winger Dwight McNeil as Nuno Espírito Santo continues rebuilding his attack for the Championship.
The transfer has previously been discussed, and Crysencio Summerville’s £68million departure has left another obvious gap on the left side of the Hammers’ forward line.
Sky Sports reported earlier this summer that West Ham hold an interest in McNeil, although no formal talks had begun at that stage.
A report carrying Sky Sports’ update confirmed West Ham were considering the Everton winger as Nuno and recruitment director Nils Koppen assessed potential attacking additions.
The situation is more interesting now than it was then.
West Ham have since sold Summerville to Al Hilal for £68m, leaving Jarrod Bowen as the standout established wide attacker in Nuno’s squad.
Dwight McNeil West Ham move still makes sense
McNeil would not be the most glamorous signing of West Ham’s summer, but his profile fits what a Championship promotion push requires.
He has extensive Premier League experience, can play from the left and offers quality from crosses and set-pieces.
ReadWestHam previously covered West Ham’s interest in McNeil when Sky Sports first placed the Everton winger on the club’s shortlist.
The 26-year-old is also entering the final year of his Everton contract, which potentially creates a decision for the Merseyside club.
However, West Ham should not assume Everton will simply accept a reduced offer because of financial pressure.
Everton’s latest accounts showed their annual loss falling from £53.2m to £8.6m, alongside record turnover of £196.7m. Their financial position remains something to monitor, particularly after being ordered to pay Burnley compensation following an historic PSR breach, but the club have appealed that ruling.
Moyes has also said he has been assured the compensation issue will not affect Everton’s summer transfer budget.
Why Summerville exit changes West Ham calculation
West Ham’s own finances are just as important.
ReadWestHam reported that Summerville completed his £68m move to Al Hilal, giving the club substantial additional funds but removing one of Nuno’s most dangerous attacking players.
That creates a much clearer reason to revisit McNeil.
West Ham need players capable of producing immediately in a promotion campaign, but they also cannot afford to overspend merely because they have generated major transfer income.
McNeil has already played more than 100 Premier League matches for Everton and knows the physical demands of English football.
There are questions around his attacking output after a difficult 2025/26 season, but the Championship could offer him an opportunity to become a leading player rather than a squad option.
For West Ham, that is the attraction.
The Hammers do not need to exploit an Everton financial crisis that current evidence does not really support.
They simply need to decide whether a player they already admire is now worth pursuing more seriously after losing Summerville.
