Neal Maupay is one of Everton’s most polarising figures, not only to the entire footballing world, but to Evertonians as well.
After all, the Frenchman has hardly enjoyed the most magical time at Goodison Park, joining under Frank Lampard and scoring just one Premier League goal across his first full season as the former Chelsea man was swiftly replaced by Sean Dyche.
As if chances weren’t already scarce enough, the arrival of a direct, brutish manager saw the former Brighton and Hove Albion man’s opportunities to start dwindle further, resulting in his subsequent loan last campaign.
Moving to Brentford, the first English club he joined after leaving his homeland, it seems to have done the 28-year-old wonders.
However, upon returning to Merseyside, speculation persists regarding his future. Fortunately, we now have an official update.
Neal Maupay provides update on his Everton future
After David Ornstein took to X yesterday to provide his own update on Maupay’s future, it always feels better to hear this kind of stuff from the horse’s mouth.
Fortunately, speaking on The Peter Crouch podcast, despite it likely having been filmed in advance of that breaking news from The Athletic journalist, it seems he had predicted he would be in the news and sought to mitigate any rumours swiftly.
Ornstein initially tweeted: ‘Everton reject Marseille bid to sign Neal Maupay on loan + buy option. Contract 2025 so #OM offer would need renewal before exit (club hold option to extend) but turned down as #EFC currently want permanent or loan + buy obligation.’
Maupay has now effectively offered his response, after Peter Crouch asked him whether he was happy at Everton: ‘Yeah actually I’m enjoying myself.
‘I think last year was a very good boost for me. I went back to a place where I knew everyone and obviously my confidence went back up again. I think that’s something I really needed, and now I’m back here I’m fit, ready to play, and in football you never know what tomorrow will be.
‘One thing I know for sure is I’m ready to go, and I’m actually looking forward to this season.’
Everton should sell Neal Maupay
Despite how affable he may come across in this interview, and how much he clearly wants to succeed wherever he goes, it just feels like his time at Everton is unfortunately up.
After all, with Maupay standing at just 5 foot 8, he is in direct contrast with almost every striker that Dyche has ever worked with across his managerial career.
Much preferring a tall, physical type along the lines of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, already he is far behind in the pecking order, with there seemingly no future where he displaces this duo or the injured Youssef Chermiti when he is back too.
It would likely be best for all parties were he to move on, finding a new club that best fits his play style and allowing him to once again have the chance to perform on the pitch and continue his jovial antics with some good form to back it up.
Maupay did make one hilarious tweet about Dyche over the summer, which has won him back a few fans at Goodison Park despite rumours of his exit.
Any money recouped at all is useful for Everton, and there are likely more than a few suitors who would be willing to take Maupay off their hands before the window slams shut.
