Everton consider swoop for Brighton centre-forward Neal Maupay
Everton have considered a move to sign Brighton centre-forward Neal Maupay as they aim to add a striker to their squad in the coming weeks, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on Friday (12 August, page 81) that the Blues have also looked into Southampton’s Che Adams while talks have been held about landing Strasbourg’s Ludovic Ajorque.
Maupay, 25, is a new name that’s joined the list though as Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell react to the Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury blow.
Top quality back-up
Maupay isn’t the most prolific of goalscorers.
In his 102 Premier League appearances for Brighton, he’s scored just 26 goals.
However, Everton don’t seem to be looking for a striker who can steal the starting spot from Calvert-Lewin on a full-time basis – they want someone who can be a back-up option.
Maupay can be just that.
The former France Under-21 international was left on the bench for Brighton’s season-opener against Manchester United at the weekend and he only started 25 Premier League games last term despite being available for all but one of them.
It’s clear that Maupay is dropping down Graham Potter’s pecking order.
Speaking in May, as quoted by SussexLive, Potter admitted that Maupay is “frustrated” with his lack of game time at the AMEX and it’s also worth pointing out that his contract expires next year.
Would a frustrated player sign a new deal? We doubt it unless he’s thrown back into the starting line-up on a regular basis but Brighton’s win over Man United last week suggests they’re doing just fine without the ex-Brentford striker.
It means that the Seagulls may be open to selling Maupay and we wouldn’t mind having him on board at Goodison Park at all.