Neal Maupay's honest verdict on possible Everton comeback after transfer option falls through

Neal Maupay has offered a candid update on his Everton future following his loan spell at Brentford.

The French striker joined the west London outfit on a season-long loan seal on September 1 with an option for a permanent switch having previously spent two years with them in the Championship. Maupay netted eight goals in 31 games in all competitions for Thomas Frank’s side but Brentford have declined to invoke the clause at the agreed price with Everton and on Monday they broke their club transfer record to sign Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who plundered 29 goals for Club Brugge last season, for £30million.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Maupay said: “I think it’s pretty simple. I was on loan at Brentford last season.

“They had an option. They haven’t taken it yet.

“So they had to the end of June and then I will be back next week at Everton.”

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Maupay signed for Everton for an undisclosed fee, understood to be in the region of £15million, from Brighton & Hove Albion on August 26, 2022, having produced goal totals of 10, eight and nine across his three seasons at the Amex Stadium. Despite netting the winner for the Blues at home to West Ham United the following month on what was just his second outing, it remains his only goal for Everton to date in 32 matches.

Manager Sean Dyche insisted he appreciated Maupay’s competitive nature after he was sent off in a 2-0 victory over League Two Stockport County in a behind-closed-doors friendly shortly after his appointment, and said: “I know who Neal is, as in he’s got a little bit of fire in him. I quite like that actually.” However, following his loan return to Brentford, the Versailles-born player made some strong claims about Everton’s supporters, telling Sky Sports: “I’m always honest and tell the truth; last season, I didn’t enjoy myself.

“I didn’t enjoy my football and life up there was tough. The people around the club, the fans, made my life really difficult.”