Last winter, Neal Maupay had to go into exile in Spain to find playing time at Sevilla FC. Loaned to Olympique de Marseille in 2024, then permanently recruited by the Marseille club a year later, the 29-year-old French striker went from being the “son” of Roberto De Zerbi to being unwanted last season. In Andalusia, the native of Versailles had what he was looking for, namely better playing time than on the Canebière. Maupay participated in 12 matches with the Nervion club (871 minutes in total), but his performance was not spectacular (2 goals, 1 assist).
He participated in maintaining the Sevillians, but the Spanish press assured at the beginning of April that the player would not be retained by Sergio Ramos’ favorite team. A trend which has since been confirmed by the main interested party in an interview given to the English media FourFourTwo. “They (the Sevillians) said they had a lot of things to sort out, and Sergio Ramos was in talks to buy the club. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and I don’t think they have any intention of bringing me back there or exercising the option to buy.”.
Nostalgia for England
Under contract with OM until 2028, will Maupay fit into the plans of the new coach and the new Marseille management? For the moment, the player himself admits to knowing nothing. “I’m still under contract with Marseille for the moment, but I don’t know what will happen. They have just changed sporting directors and a new coach should also be appointed. One thing I can say is that I feel really good after my experience in Seville. I’m in good shape, I’m confident in myself and I still really, really, really want to play. »
Maupay is hungry, but he admitted that he would like to return to England, where he had shone for Brentford, Brighton and Everton. “Why not in England? I think I benefited from my experience in France and Seville, and it’s in England that I really feel at my best. This country and English culture really suit me, so who knows? I would be more than happy to return. But if I have to stay, Marseille is the biggest club in France, so we’ll see. I can’t predict the future, but whatever happens, I’m hungry for new victories. » The message got through.
