Steve Nickson is not even in the door at West Ham United yet – not officially, anyway – but it appears the departing Newcastle chief is already hard at work.
Nickson is in line to become the Hammers’ new sporting director as Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky pulls off a coup just days after the resignation of David Sullivan.
According to Newcastle reporter Craig Hope, the Magpies are hoping to keep Nickson in situ until a replacement can be secured. That seems somewhat unlikely, though.
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West Ham United need a new recruitment chief in the building as soon as possible ahead of what is destined to be a hectic summer of incomings and outgoings. There is, quite literally, no time to waste.
And as Claret and Hugh explain, having enquired with a source at the club, Nickson is already in the process of ‘identifying players’ he wants to bring with him to the London Stadium. The 61-year-old, they write, ‘already has some in mind’ too
Steve Nickson set for West Ham United as Dwight McNeil links emerge
Everton’s Dwight McNeil was linked with West Ham today, via club insider ExWhuEmployee.
Considering that Newcastle were credited with an interest in McNeil on numerous occasions during Nickson’s tenure, it is maybe no coincidence that his name has emerged while the Hammers-bound transfer guru is putting together an early list of targets.
According to The Sun, Newcastle wanted to sign McNeil shortly after his breakout campaign at Burnley in 2018/19. He was a target again in 2020, per North East-based publication The Chronicle.
The subsequent Saudi takeover at St James’ Park would see Newcastle turn to more ambitious, high-profile targets. McNeil eventually joined Everton for a fee of £20 million in 2022.
That the former England youth prospect has been mentioned as a West Ham target – a move that would see him drop down into the Championship at the age of 26 – paints the picture of wasted potential. McNeil certainly endured a difficult campaign last season; failing to score and providing only one assist in 14 Premier League starts.
Yet, McNeil managed four goals and six assists as recently as 2024/25. He would produce a minimum of nine goal contributions in each of his first three seasons on Merseyside.
McNeil earned Declan Rice comparisons at Everton
McNeil’s ability to play on either flank and even central midfield should appeal to Nuno Espirito Santo, as will his fine range of passing and superb set-pieces.
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Max Hahn's comments speak volumes…
Chris Sutton even likened McNeil to former West Ham captain Declan Rice when it comes to placing a cross on a sixpence.
“You talk about Declan Rice’s delivery,” Sutton said on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast. “[McNeil] has got a wand of a left foot.”
“I’m pleased for Sean Dyche because he takes a hell of a lot of stick. I mean, in many ways, typical Everton isn’t that they score four goals and two of them are own goals from Craig Dawson.”
According to Seamus Coleman, McNeil emerged as a ‘leader in the pack’ at Everton. Quality and character.
While McNeil is not the flashiest or most exciting of West Ham’s reported transfer targets, there is a lot to like about a man who offers a consistent source of goals, plenty of experience, and has seemingly been on Steve Nickson’s radar for some time.
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