Lyndon Lloyd 27/07/2024 26comments  |  Jump to last

Jake O'Brien looks set to become Everton's latest signing amid reports the Club are either close to or have already agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonnais for the centre-half.

O'Brien has been consistently linked with the Blues this summer, not least because of the speculation around the future of Jarrad Branthwaite, and Sky Sports' Northwest correspondent Alan Myers claims that an agreement between the two clubs is close.

Fabrizio Romano goes one further, tweeting that a deal has been reached and that the highly-rated 23-year-old will soon undergo a medical ahead of a permanent switch to Everton on a five-year contract.

O'Brien began his career at Cork City in his native Ireland before being picked up by Crystal Palace after impressing on what was initially a loan move to the Eagles' development team.

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He had additional loan spells at Swindon Town and Molenbeek in Belgium before signing for Lyon for just €1m last year where he has excelled and become a target for a handful of Premier League clubs, including Brentford and Everton.

Last season, the 6'-6" defender helped the Ligue 1 side propel themselves from relegation danger and up to a 6th-place finish, emerging as the team's second-top scorer in the process.

 

Reader Comments (26)

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Hugh Jenkins
1 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:46:46
Hopefully, our "new" buying strategy will pay off.

Young, hungry, with something to prove.

Annika Herbert
2 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:48:26
Have yo be honest I know very little about this lad. From what I have read and seen he looks a prospect though.
Could be another quality addition to the ranks and is of a good age. Are we finally building a squad that can compete, rather than just battle relegation every season?
The signs are good
Marc Hints
3 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:54:06
Done deal according to Alan Myers
Christy Ring
4 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:19:49
I saw him earn his first two caps for Ireland against Hungary and Portugal, and he looked pretty decent. I just hope he's in to replace Holgate and Keane, and not Jarrad?
Robert Tressell
5 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:22:11
Encouraging, because we do need more depth at CB and O'Brien is already a good player with plenty of improvement yet to come.

However, it also looks like a possible case of buying in Branthwaite's replacement. Hopefully it is a bit of foresight to help with possible departure's next summer - rather than this summer.

Robert Tressell
6 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:22:14
Encouraging, because we do need more depth at CB and O'Brien is already a good player with plenty of improvement yet to come.

However, it also looks like a possible case of buying in Branthwaite's replacement. Hopefully it is a bit of foresight to help with possible departure's next summer - rather than this summer.

Colin Glassar
7 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:24:20
I always knew we’d be better off without a BoD. Now that kenshite and Moshiri have gone we appear to be doing better in the transfer market.
Michael Boardman
8 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:24:46
Everton tattoo apparently on his chest, but due to his dad?

Looks big, tall and possibly a beast, but would he be coming to sit on the bench for a season?

Chris Lawlor
9 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:25:37
Delighted with this news! A young lad with incredible ability and a Cork man to boot. He is highly regarded here and I’ve absolutely no doubt will form the bedrock of our defence for a few years to come
Steve Shave
10 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:27:03
Interesting as you say Robert, hopefully this is so we can sell one or both of Holgate or Keane.

However, I fear its because a deal has been agreed for Brainthwaite. If that is so I can live with it as long as we get other players like Gnonto and O'Riely with the money. That would present very good business this summer with minimal outlay.

Ryan Holroyd
11 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:28:24
Tarkowski out for the start of the season.
Nothing to dwo ith Branthwaite
Robert Tressell
12 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:30:00
Colin what is a BoD?

Birector of Dootball?

Vijay Nair
13 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:36:46
Replacement for Godfrey I'm guessing. Hopefully we can also see a couple fullbacks in. Especially with Myko being injured and Patterson not looking up to it. I'd rather not see Young at either right or left back.

If our DOF can also somehow offload Maupay and Holgate (either on loan or permanently), it would be a great transfer window!

Ryan Holroyd
14 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:39:32
BOD = board of directors
Robert Tressell
15 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:53:09
10 points to Ryan. Thank you.
Kunal Desai
16 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:58:42
Hopefully this will also mean goodbye to Holgate and Keane.

Getting five players in before the season has started. I need a lie down.

Add a few more before the window closes and i'm confident we'll finish top half.

Hopefully the lingering stentch of Kenwright is slowly filtering away and Moshiri soon to follow.


Rob Halligan
17 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:59:14
Everyone can relax as this has got nothing to do with Branthwaite. In fact all that stuff about asking for £160K a week is all total bollocks.
Si Pulford
18 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:06:51
I’m delighted with this signing. Young, tall, goal scoring defender. Happy days.

However the reality is that we now need to ship out Holgate and Keane, the latter of the two isn’t a bad squad player but both are on too much money to be sat on our bench.

I am a little concerned about the right back and striker situation. Colman can’t go on forever and I’m sorry but I think Patterson is dreadful. If DCL won’t sign we need to sell but it doesn’t look like anyone’s banging the door down for a permanently injured striker who’s goal record is patchy.

Otherwise I think our recruitment on paper so far has been excellent.

Martin Berry
19 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:07:41
This lad could be a real find. He has the physical attributes to be a top defender. He also has some pace, can pass the ball out of defense and looks a tough character.

Well done Kevin Thelwell if we can pull this one off.

Jeff Armstrong
20 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:12:39
Anyone know if he’s right or left sided?
Steve Cotton
21 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:14:17
He was signed 12.month's ago for 1mill shows how poor our scouting is to be fair
Ben King
22 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:17:25
Steve #21

You must be a laugh a minute pal. Always look for the cloud - ignore the sunshine

Never change

Steve Brown
23 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:22:00
O’Brien and Branthwaite, now that would be a fantastic long-term partnership if we could pull it off.
Steve Brown
24 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:22:39
And Holgate can sign for Wrexham.
Christy Ring
25 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:26:00
Jeff he's right footed but plays left-sided.
Steve#21 I'd be more concerned if we sold him for £1m like Crystal Palace.
Rob#17 That's great to hear.

Jeff Armstrong
26 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:48:21
Thanks Christy, not a direct replacement for Jarred I hope, I always prefer a right / left partnership at CB, proven by the Tarks/Branthwaite match up last term.

Mountfield and Ratcliffe …perfection.

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