Everton striker Dyche doubts is ‘open’ to Serie A switch according to agent, with summer exit looking likely
The agent of Everton striker Neal Maupay has admitted his client could leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season – insisting he is open to a move to the Serie A.
The Frenchman has struggled to find his feet at Goodison Park after joining the Blues from Brighton last summer, scoring just one goal in 20 Premier League appearances.
Since Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard as the Toffees’ manager in January, Maupay has started just three of a possible eight games after falling down the pecking order.
Indeed, in recent matches, natural winger Demarai Gray has been preferred by Dyche as his centre-forward option, showing how little faith he has in the former Brighton man.
Also, in Everton’s last game against Chelsea, the manager opted to bring on Blues youngster Ellis Simms instead of Maupay, who scored a stunning 89th-minute equalizer.
This will undoubtedly frustrate the 26-year-old, but with such a poor return in terms of goals, it’s hardly a surprise to see Dyche reluctant to give him many minutes in a crucial stage of the season.
With Everton only two points outside the relegation zone, they simply cannot afford to field players who are out of form.
Maupay ‘open’ to Serie A switch
Now, Maupay’s agent Federico Pastorello has suggested that previous interest from the Serie A could be revived this summer, with the Frenchman set to assess his options at the end of the campaign.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Pastorello said: “We had strong negotiations with Salernitana, and then he went to Everton.
“There was a technical change, we’re at the end of the season and we’ll see what to do.
“You see [Serie] A as a place to go, we will work to accommodate him, there will probably be work for him to do in Italy.”
Maupay signed a three-year contract with Everton in 2022, with the option of a further year, for what was officially described as an undisclosed fee.
Given his current form, it seems unlikely that the Toffees would be able to command much of a transfer fee for the striker, but they may simply be happy to get him off the books.
Everton are already considering a number of potential centre-forward signings ahead of next season, with Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata the latest name linked.
Given the Blues’ number nine Dominic Calvert-Lewin has massively struggled with injuries again this term and with Simms still lacking experience, there is a clear need for Dyche to bring in a new forward.
However, the level of Everton’s spending is reliant on their Premier League status, so first and foremost, they need to do everything they can to avoid relegation.
READ MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool interest catches Everton star’s eye, but Sean Dyche can avert transfer disaster with one simple move
The article Everton striker Dyche doubts is ‘open’ to Serie A switch according to agent, with summer exit looking likely appeared first on Teamtalk.com.
