Everton have reportedly reached an agreement with Ligue 1 club Marseille over a deal for striker Neal Maupay.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Brentford where he scored eight goals in 31 appearances across all competitions.
Maupay has since returned to Everton where he has struggled to make his mark when presented with first-team opportunities, scoring just one goal in 32 games since joining the club in August 2022.
The Frenchman has watched on as an unused substitute in Everton's opening two Premier League games this season and he was one of several Toffees players subjected to verbal abuse from the club's supporters at London Euston train station following their 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Maupay took to X to respond to videos that surfaced on social media of the verbal abuse received, posting: "Imagine another job where it's normalised to get abuse like this. Hanging around at a train station to scream at men who are trying their best."
Maupay hints at imminent Everton exit with Shawshank Redemption post
https://t.co/H4AaFp4Iu2 pic.twitter.com/aJywOsdXgB
— Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) August 29, 2024
Maupay, known for trolling his opponents and comical interactions on social media, has since posted again on X hinting that an exit from Everton is edging closer.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Marseille have agreed to sign Maupay on an initial loan deal from Everton worth €500,000 (£420,000) which includes an obligation to buy for €5.5m (£4.6m), plus €3m (£2.5m) in potential add-ons.
Romano adds that Maupay is now set to undergo a medical and in response to the Italian's famous 'Here We Go' message, the striker has posted an iconic clip from Shawshank Redemption when Andy Dufresne breaks free from prison.
© Imago
Everton closing in on Mangala signing
Meanwhile, Romano has revealed that Everton have agreed to sign midfielder Orel Mangala on loan from Lyon and there is no buy option included.
The Belgium international is scheduled to travel to Merseyside on Thursday afternoon ahead of undergoing medical tests and finalising his move to the Toffees.
Mangala has seemingly been identified by Everton as a replacement for midfielder Amadou Onana, who joined Aston Villa for £50m earlier this summer.
The 26-year-old only joined Lyon in January from Nottingham Forest on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy this summer for around £30m.
Mangala has made just 13 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, including one start in the French top flight this season, but he is now set to make a swift return to the Premier League and work under Sean Dyche.
Oliver Thomas
