By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

20th Jun, 2023 | 7:45pm

Sources: Everton plan to sanction Neal Maupay deal as talks gets underway

Neal Maupay is attracting interest from France and Italy as he looks to cut a forgettable stint at Everton short this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The 26-year-old scored just once in 29 appearances across all competitions following a £15m move to Goodison Park from Brighton last summer.

That return ensured he failed to establish himself as a regular starter under Sean Dyche despite the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for large parts of the second half of the season.

Consequently, Everton are open to cutting their losses on Maupay in this window, leaving the player’s representatives to seek an exit route.

Football Insider understands they have already held preliminary discussions with a number of clubs in Ligue 1 and Serie A ahead of a potential move.

Maupay is determined to find a home where he will play regularly after growing frustrated by his lack of involvement at Everton since arriving from Brighton.

The Toffees, meanwhile, are already scouring the market for striking options as they prepare to replace the former France U21 international.

Dyche is in desperate need of a reliable source of goals as he looks to ensure Everton aren’t dragged into a Premier League relegation battle once again next term, particularly given Calvert-Lewin’s ongoing fitness issues.

As for Maupay, he recently hinted that a return to Nice could be on the cards for him this summer after reports to that effect.

Speaking in his role as a pundit on French television, the forward replied to questions over a possible move back to the Cote d’Azur by saying: “Nice is my home. I love the city, I love the club.”

Maupay scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Ligue 1 club after making the jump from their academy to the first team at the age of just 16.

In other news, West Ham have made move to sign Everton player.