Any progress on potential transfer targets at West Ham is unlikely until new director of player recruitment Nils Koppen has had the opportunity to discuss recruitment strategy with manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the club's wider scouting staff.
McNeil, who is the son of former non-League player Matty McNeil, came through Manchester United's academy as a boy before being released and moving on to Burnley, where he established himself as a Premier League regular.
Everton signed the winger from Burnley in July 2022 for a fee reportedly in the region of £20million, and he has since made over 100 appearances for the Merseyside club, including a memorable brace against Crystal Palace in September 2024.
McNeil previously attracted interest from Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest during the winter transfer window earlier this year, when a proposed loan move to Palace collapsed on deadline day after paperwork was not finalised in time.
Everton have separately confirmed the exit of young midfielder Ademide Akarakiri, who has completed a permanent transfer to Serie A club Cagliari.
The 18-year-old impressed for Everton's Under-18s and Under-21s last season but turned down fresh terms offered by the Merseyside club this summer, opting instead for a move to Sardinia.
Cagliari had scouted Akarakiri extensively throughout the previous campaign before completing the deal.
Akarakiri began his youth career at Arsenal before switching to Everton two seasons ago, quickly establishing himself as one of the more promising members of the club's Under-18 group at Finch Farm, and also featured for the Under-21 side in competitions such as the Premier League International Cup.
Despite Everton's efforts to keep hold of him with an improved contract offer, Akarakiri chose to pursue his development in Italy instead.
Cagliari confirmed his signing on Saturday, describing the teenager as "one of the most exciting prospects of his generation," adding that he would "embark on a development journey" at the club as he transitions into senior football.