Neal Maupay had not played for Brighton this season; Frenchman scored 26 goals across three campaigns for the Seagulls after £20m move from Brentford in 2019
Friday 26 August 2022 20:53, UK
Everton have completed the signing of Neal Maupay from Brighton for an undisclosed fee, with the Frenchman signing a three-year deal at Goodison Park.
However, the 26-year-old striker will not be able to make his Everton debut against his former club Brentford on Saturday after missing the Friday midday deadline for registration.
Maupay looked like he would join Fulham this week, and boss Marco Silva confirmed the club had been close to a deal to sign him, but Toffees boss Frank Lampard has been desperate to bring in reinforcements in the forward positions and has now got his man.
Maupay scored eight goals for the Seagulls last season, but did not play a single minute for the club this term with Danny Welbeck favoured in attack.
Sky Sports football journalist Ben Grounds:
"Speaking to Sky Sports just under a year ago on Monday Night Football, Maupay was faced with a very special guest. The Frenchman had just scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Brighton against bitter rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
""I've been growing up watching you score goals. I'm grateful to speak with you," Maupay addressed Thierry Henry in the Sky studios. "You can ask me anything you want, Mr Henry."
"Hailing from Versailles, there is a humility to Maupay but also a bite in the same way Henry would play in his pomp at Arsenal. Seven yellow cards last campaign underlines the devil in his play.
"At 26, Maupay is unlikely to reach the heights now of his esteemed compatriot; since arriving in England in 2017 with Brentford before joining Brighton for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £20m in 2019, Maupay has scored 68 goals in 204 games, including 26 in the Premier League.
"But Everton are recruiting a player with all the right attributes to answer their greatest need. Having sold Richarlison, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently sidelined, scoring goals (2) has been a problem; only Wolves (1) and West Ham (0) have managed fewer in the top flight.
"Everton are in need of a poacher who smells half a chance, as he did in scoring with virtually the last kick of the game against Palace last September. That was the first of three injury-time levellers last season, replicating the feat at Southampton and West Ham.
"Both of Everton's goals this campaign have come in the final five minutes of matches, and Lampard is assembling a squad that oozes leadership and fighting spirit, having detected a brittleness in his fist six months in charge, especially away from home.
"Maupay is a penalty-box striker - all of his eight goals last term were scored within 12 yards of the goal. That lofted finish at Palace was his fourth strike from 11 attempts in six games at the start of last term amid speculation Brighton were looking to sign a new striker.
"The problem for Maupay has been producing consistent runs of form; another purple patch came in early December with four goals in five games, but he would only score once more in 16 matches from the turn of the year.
"Loss of confidence, by his own admission, has been an issue at various stages of his career, but Lampard has always paid great attention to a player's character.
"Brighton boss Graham Potter said only last week: "From a personal perspective, I could probably count on one hand how many players have helped me become a better coach the same as Neal. What he's done for us over the last three years is clear. I don't think you can replace like-for-like as his attributes are unique."
"There had been no indication the striker was agitating for a move, but the pin has landed on Maupay following Everton's lengthy search for a striker.
"With Calvert-Lewin not fully fit for at least a couple of weeks, Maupay has the chance to hit the ground running. Without a win after three games, Everton will be hoping their new forward can make another fast start."
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