Everton now 'in the mix' to hijack £15m deal at Goodison Park

Everton could hijack Neal Maupay’s move to Nottingham Forest by sealing a late deal which would see the Brighton & Hove Albion striker head to Goodison Park, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The Toffees have spent more than £30million on fresh faces since the transfer window reopened for business, but it appears that boss Frank Lampard has set his sights on securing a new centre forward next.

Crook has revealed that there could be a late twist when it comes to where Maupay’s long-term future lies as Everton and Fulham are now pushing to sign the 26-year-old.

The development comes just a matter of days after it emerged that Nottingham Forest had entered talks over a £15million deal with Brighton.

It appeared that the newly-promoted side were close to sealing Maupay’s arrival, but Everton and Fulham have created a late stumbling block for Steve Cooper’s outfit.

Brighton have been open to allowing the Frenchman to leave the Amex Stadium due to entering the final 12 months of his £50,000-per-week contract.

Maupay has not played a single minute since the new season got underway and was left out of the Seagulls’ squad for their goalless draw against Newcastle United on Saturday due to talks over a move away.

Crook understands that Everton have joined the race to sign Maupay ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.

However, the talkSPORT reporter is unaware as to whether an official bid has been lodged by the Toffees or fellow suitors Fulham at this stage.

Crook told GIVEMESPORT: “I got a message on Tuesday morning saying that Everton and Fulham are both ‘in the mix’.

“I don’t know if they’ve gone as far as making bids.”

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin facing a month on the sidelines after suffering a freak knee