Everton were able to recoup some of the money lost on the French forward despite his struggle on Merseyside
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Neal Maupay of Marseille following the Ligue 1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille in April. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Neal Maupay of Marseille following the Ligue 1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille in April. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Neal Maupay is listed as released on the Premier League website. But his exit earned Everton millions after a transfer window sleight of hand.
The 28-year-old endured a torrid time on Merseyside, labouring under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche before leaving on consecutive loan deals amid repeated digs at the Blues.
That came to a head 12 months ago, when he shared an image from jailbreak film The Shawshank Redemption as his departure to Marseille was confirmed.
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Maupay left for the south of France on a loan deal but will remain there due to the conditions of that move, which featured an obligation for Roberto de Zerbi’s side to make it permanent.
The ECHO understands that was possible despite Maupay’s contract being set to expire this summer because of some savvy operating at Finch Farm once Marseille’s interest became known.
Maupay signed a three-year deal when he arrived in September 2022 from Brighton and Hove Albion for around £15m. His debut - delayed when red tape prevented him from playing at Leeds United - came in the goalless Merseyside derby at Goodison days later. When he scored the winner at home to West Ham United soon after, it appeared he would have a foundation to build on.
Instead, he struggled, with that strike proving to be the only competitive goal he would score for Everton. He had an opportunity to salvage his Blues career when injuries led Dyche to start him at the beginning of the following season, but his pivotal miss in the campaign-opening defeat to Fulham summed up his failure with the club and a move on loan to former club Brentford followed.
Maupay did well back in London, scoring six goals in 29 league appearances - mostly from the bench. Then manager Thomas Frank opted against making the move permanent, however, and he started last season in the Everton squad, though with a move away expected.
Marseille’s interest materialised when their main frontman, Faris Moumbagna, suffered a severe knee injury and the club enquired about taking Maupay on loan.
With his contract set to expire in 12 months - this summer - the prospect of recouping cash on the player was vanishing. To avoid that, then director of football Kevin Thelwell is understood to have triggered a one year extension in the club’s favour.
The ambition was not to ensure the club would have another opportunity to look at Maupay this summer. Instead, it gave them greater leverage to exploit Marseille’s interest - ending in a loan deal that obliged Marseille to complete the signing of Maupay for a starting fee of £6m, with the potential to reach £10m.
In extending the contract of a player all parties agreed had struggled on Merseyside, Everton had the leverage to draw a chunk of his transfer fee at a time when, due to the Premier League’s financial regulations, every penny matters.