Everton battling 'competition' for 111-goal star at Goodison Park

Everton have been ‘surprised’ by the competition they have faced in the race to sign Brighton striker Neal Maupay, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Frank Lampard has overseen a disappointing start to the Premier League season, with the Toffees sat on zero points following defeats to Chelsea and Aston Villa, and could look to strengthen ahead of the September 1 deadline.

The Frenchman’s availability was first reported on Saturday afternoon when it emerged that he would not be included in the Seagulls’ side to face Newcastle at the AMEX, with Nottingham Forest set for talks after agreeing a £15 million fee.

A story from The Athletic later in the week detailed that Everton and Fulham had also joined the race to sign the £50,000 per-week striker, with Lampard holding talks with the player himself.

They also claimed Italian outfit Salernitana had matched the offer accepted for Maupay but were unlikely to be able to agree on personal terms.  

However, it is now understood that Forest are set to beat their rivals to his signature this summer after a crucial breakthrough in talks over personal terms, potentially leaving Everton scrambling for alternatives.

Jones understands that Everton have been taken aback by the competition faced in their pursuit of the 25-year-old this summer.

The transfer insider suggests that Maupay’s representatives likely used interest from the Toffees to whip up rival offers.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think they’ve been surprised that there’s been a bit of competition for Maupay. I think basically what happened is once they registered their interest, Maupay’s agents were able to go and start pushing him around to other teams and just make his availability aware to some other people.”

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