Everton signed Neal Maupay in the summer to provide goalscoring support to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and diminish the loss of Richarlison. Maupay was not expected to be a regular starter but make an impact when called upon.
With Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the former Brighton man was thrown into the spotlight of leading the Everton frontline and shouldering the responsibility of being the primary goal scorer. Maupay never produced crazy goalscoring numbers but he was still a reliable striker in front of the goal at Brighton.
Unfortunately, the Frenchman has failed to settle in Merseyside following his £15 million move to Goodison Park in the summer. His solitary goal in Everton colours has come against West Ham United which eventually proved to be the winner in that tie. His goal came way back in September and he has now gone without scoring a goal in 18 Premier League games.
Everton striker Neal Maupay could leave in the summer
His goal drought has massively affected his confidence as Maupay has struggled to provide effective threat in front of the goal. The 26 year old works hard up top but is not able to generate the efficiency needed from a striker.
Everton have been heavily linked to strikers in the past few months. The Toffees were desperately looking for a striker in the January transfer window but failed to sign a single player. Their search for a striker is expected to continue in the summer as Calvert-Lewin still remains injury-prone.
If a new striker arrives at Goodison Park, Maupay could be deemed as surplus to requirements. In fact, the former Brighton forward could leave Everton in the summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, Maupay could leave at the end of the season. His agent Pastorello confirmed that there are options in the Serie A and Maupay is open to signing for a Serie A side.
Salernitana wanted to sign Maupay last summer but Everton managed to get hold of the Frenchman. New manager Sean Dyche has dropped Maupay from the team in absence of Calvert-Lewin. He did give the Frenchman opportunities to show his talent but the player did not impress.
Instead, Dyche has preferred Demarai Gray in the central role and called Ellis Simms over Maupay from the bench. Calvert-Lewin is working on his fitness and should be available at some point after the international break. His return would see Maupay further slip down the pecking order and get even less game time.
The 26 year old earns £50,000 per week in wages and his sale would release significant funds from the wage budget. If there are takers for Maupay in the summer, Everton should be willing to listen to the offers.
Should EFC sell Neal Maupay?