Everton have already enjoyed an active summer wading through the transfer market, but it is widely expected that they are far from finished.
They do, after all, have a strong team, but it is weak in certain important areas.
Subject to an announcement, Kevin Thelwell has already done a good job of providing Abdulaye Doucoure in Iliman Ndiaye with some much-needed competition. It was also a wise decision to welcome Jack Harrison back.
They do, however, still have an aging backline, which presents a significant issue.
Thankfully, there are currently arrangements in place to address this.
Everton planning to try and sign Jake O’Brien this summer
The Athletic, which describes the range of interest in Lyon defender Jake O’Brien’s services throughout the Premier League, has the most recent information on Everton’s pursuit of him.
They state: “Jake O’Brien from Lyon is a player that West Ham is interested in signing.” The center defender, who was highlighted in last week’s DealSheet, is one of the options under consideration. Everton is one of the Premier League teams keeping an eye on the Republic of Ireland international.
O’Brien was also brought up by Nottingham Forest in their discussions with Lyon, who have already acquired Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate. Although proposals centered on a £17 million ($21 million) valuation for the player have been made, Lyon has not yet received any more action.
“After his departure from Lyon’s fellow Eagle Football Holdings club last summer for a fee in the region of £1m ($1.2m), Crystal Palace will receive 25 percent of the profit of any sale.”
The Liverpool Echo claimed likewise, but it also hinted that Sean Dyche already has a lot of respect for the center back.
A Jarrad Branthwaite replacement or partner?
Since Manchester United, his main suitor, isn’t going to let go of Jarrad Branthwaite and is instead pursuing other players, it appears that O’Brien’s acquisition would complement the 22-year-old rather than replace him at Everton.
Ultimately, Ben Godfrey was just sold by the Toffees to Atlanta, while Michael Keane and James Tarkowski both turned 31 lately.
They are by no means spring chickens, and whether or not Branthwaite’s sale provides the funding, Goodison Park desperately needs a defensive makeover.
O’Brien would probably be the ideal place to start this endeavor because he wouldn’t be overly costly and could fit into Dyche’s system with little need to modify his style of play.
After all, the 23-year-old averaged 3.4 long balls per game in Ligue 1 last season. He also added 3.6 clearances and 4.7 ball recoveries to that total.
In contrast, that renders him significantly more accurate with his long passes—a quality that Dyche defenders really value—than both Branthwaite and Tarkowski, and it also makes him equally skilled at box defense.
He is a strong goal threat for his current team and stands six feet five, which helps.
He would fit right in and provide Everton with a good third option as they approach their last season at Goodison Park.
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