Marseille have strengthened their attacking options by signing Everton striker Neal Maupay on a season-long loan deal, with an obligation to buy the forward in 2025. The 28-year-old Frenchman, who joined Everton from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, has been brought back to his homeland after a challenging spell in the Premier League.
Maupay’s move to Marseille reunites him with his former Brighton manager, Roberto de Zerbi, who is expected to utilize his experience and goal-scoring abilities. Despite only managing one goal in 32 appearances for Everton, Maupay showed promise during his loan spell at Brentford last season, where he netted eight times in 31 games. His return to France could rejuvenate his career, providing Marseille with a reliable forward as they aim for domestic and European success.
Everton’s Transfer Activity Heats Up Amid Maupay’s Departure
As Maupay departs, Everton have been active in the transfer market, bringing in fresh talent to bolster their squad. The Toffees have signed Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye, and Tim Iroegbunam in this summer transfer window, signaling a clear intent to improve their squad depth. These additions are crucial for Everton as they seek to improve upon last season’s disappointing campaign, which saw them struggle for consistency and goals.
Everton are also hopeful of finalizing a loan deal for Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala before the transfer window closes. Mangala, 26, is seen as a key target to strengthen their midfield options, adding more dynamism and creativity to the team. The club’s transfer activity reflects their determination to rebuild and climb the Premier League table this season.
Marseille’s Ambitious Summer Signings: Maupay, Greenwood, and Højbjerg
Marseille’s acquisition of Neal Maupay is part of a broader strategy to enhance their squad with proven talents. Alongside Maupay, the French club has also secured the services of Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, further underlining their ambition to compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. Greenwood, who joins after a tumultuous period at Manchester United, brings a wealth of potential, while Højbjerg’s experience from Tottenham Hotspur is expected to add steel and leadership to the midfield.
These signings reflect Marseille’s commitment to challenging for the Ligue 1 title and making a deep run in European competitions. The club’s management has made it clear that they are not just looking to compete but to dominate, and the arrival of Maupay, alongside other high-profile signings, is a significant step in that direction. As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these additions integrate into the squad and contribute to Marseille’s pursuit of silverware.
Neal Maupay Trolls Everton Fans After Confirming Exit to Marseille
Neal Maupay has added fuel to the fire after confirming his departure from Everton by trolling the club’s fans in a rather unexpected manner. The 28-year-old French forward, who struggled to make a significant impact at Goodison Park, is set to join French Ligue 1 side Marseille, ending a tumultuous chapter in his career.
Maupay’s exit was officially confirmed by football journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, who shared the news with his followers. In a surprising turn of events, Maupay responded with a cheeky jab at his former club. He posted a clip from the iconic film The Shawshank Redemption, where one of the characters dramatically escapes from prison—a clear reference to his time at Everton. This move was seen as a direct hit at the Toffees, whom Maupay likened to a “prison” during his stay.
A Struggle at Goodison Park and a New Beginning
Maupay’s tenure at Everton has been anything but smooth. The Toffees invested £15 million to bring the French forward from Brighton in the summer of 2022, hoping he would bolster their attacking options. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. In his first season at Goodison Park, Maupay managed only one Premier League goal in 27 appearances, a far cry from the prolific striker Everton fans had hoped for.
Last season, Maupay was loaned out to Brentford, where he found the back of the net six times in the league, with four of those goals coming between January and February. Despite this brief resurgence, he returned to Everton for pre-season but was left as an unused substitute for the club’s opening two Premier League matches this season. His exit to Marseille seems to offer a fresh start, far from the challenges he faced at Everton.
