Thomas Frank shares permanent transfer decision on Everton loanee Neal Maupay
Thomas Frank has stated that Brentford are in no hurry to make a decision on the permanent transfer of Neal Maupay from Everton.
The Frenchman rejoined the Bees on loan from Goodison Park last summer, having scored just twice in 34 appearances for the Toffees during the 2022/23 season.
Maupay has experienced a new lease of life at the Gtech Community Stadium, doubling up with Ivan Toney in a formidable partnership and netting eight goals in 23 games.
Speaking to Evening Standard on Friday (1 March), Frank said: "Like a lot of other transfer decisions, that will be taken at the end of the season because we are not in a hurry.”
Is Neal Maupay's time up at Everton?
After suffering a 13-month goal drought at Goodison Park, a loan move back to Brentford looked like the best option for the 27-year-old, finally scoring in a 3-2 Brentford win over West Ham United in November 2023.
Fast-forward to this season and Maupay is in incredible form for the Bees, registering eight goals and four assists in all competitions so far.
It would make sense for Brentford to complete the permanent transfer of Maupay at the end of the current campaign, with Toney likely to be moving on, but Sean Dyche could also utilise him at Goodison Park.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is stuck in a rut, with just three Premier League goals to his name this season after netting twice in the previous campaign, and Beto is no better with three goals in 28 appearances.
Maupay has the energy, desire and passion to compete at the top level in the Premier League, but his temper and knack for winding the opposition up is always a concern, most recently clashing with West Ham's Kevin Nolan.
Both teams are in desperate need of more goals. The Toffees currently have the third-lowest number of goals in the division, ahead of Burnley and Sheffield United. Goals have not been such an issue for Frank but have been leaking in the defensive third of the pitch.
It will be interesting to see what decision is made at the end of the season, by Brentford and by Everton, who could fail to leave his previous form in the past and trust that he has overcome his goalscoring woes.
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