BREAKING NEWS;Everton have rejected a bid from Marseille for striker Neal Maupay due to

Everton have rejected a bid from Marseille for striker Neal Maupay, according to David Ornstein.

The journalist reported on his X account [20 August] that the Ligue 1 side offered a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Everton have rejected the offer as they would prefer an obligation to buy or permanent exit for Maupay, who is due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Neal Maupay set to leave Everton this summer

The 28-year-old has hardly set the world alight during his time at Goodison Park and even less so on loan to Brentford last season.

He has been underwhelming since his £15million switch from the Bees in 2022 [BBC Sport] and is firmly behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto in the pecking order.

Sean Dyche will be looking to recoup some of the fee spent on him to avoid losing him for free next season the club are not in a position financially to allow Maupay to sit on the sidelines and eat into the wage budget.

The Blues have been actively targeting a forward this summer, with Barcelona striker Vitor Roque high on the list, and Maupay would waste what is considered the peak years of his career should he remain at Goodison Park.

Marseille will be without Faris Mumbanya for most of the season after the forward suffered an ACL injury – a situation for Everton can capitalise on to finally wash their hands of Maupay for good.

A deal is beneficial for all involved. Interest in the Frenchman is growing [Sky Sports] and Marseille will know they need to secure a deal quickly which falls perfectly into the Blues’ hands.

In other Everton news, a teenager has been tipped to start against Tottenham in the Premier League.