Neal Maupay held training ground talks before Everton dig and transfer breakthrough

The forward thanked staff for their time as he prepared for the final stages of a move to Marseille

Neal Maupay spoke to Everton staff on Thursday before his departure to France to thank them for their work with him during his time on Merseyside. The forward is on the brink of a move to Marseille that would mark the end of a difficult spell at Everton.

News of a breakthrough in talks with the Ligue 1 side came on Thursday morning after the French side persevered with a move as the club works to deal with an injury to key striker Faris Mumbanya earlier this month.

A first loan offer was rejected last week but fresh terms that would see an initial loan deal combined with an obligation to make the move permanent have since been thrashed out. The 28-year-old took to social media to share a clip from jailbreak movie Shawshank Redemption alongside an update on his future.

At his pre-Bournemouth press conference at Finch Farm, Dyche said the forward’s departure looked close, confirming he was due to travel to France for a medical ahead of the Friday night transfer deadline.

Of the conversation with staff at the training ground, Dyche said: “He came and spoke to us today and there were no problems at all. He just said ‘if this goes through, thanks for all your help’. I said ‘absolutely cool, thanks for all your efforts’.”

Dyche said the departure, should the move be finalised, would be on amicable terms, adding: “He said a lot of things about the club when he left here to go to Brentford and that obviously wasn’t helpful for him. His time was tough here. I spoke to him about it, it has been tough for him. If things work out for him for a fresh start, that is the way it goes, if they don’t then he needs to come back and work hard again. That is just part of being a professional.”