Although Everton has had a busy summer exploring the transfer market, it is generally believed that they are far from done.
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 Abdoulaye Doucoure with some much-needed competition in Iliman Ndiaye. 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.
‘Nottingham Forest also discussed O’Brien as an option in their negotiations with Lyon who have purchased both Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala. Lyon have received interest in the player with approaches based around a £17m ($21m) valuation, but that hasn’t progressed as yet.
‘Crystal Palace will receive 25 per cent of the profit of any sale after his departure from Lyon’s fellow Eagle Football Holdings club last summer for a fee in the region of £1m ($1.2m).’
The Liverpool ECHO reported similarly, but also suggested that the centre-back is well-admired by Sean Dyche already.
A Jarrad Branthwaite replacement or partner?
Given Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to leave Everton as Manchester United, his chief suitor, are moving on to other targets, it seems like the acquisition of O’Brien would be to partner the 22-year-old rather than replace him.
After all, the Toffees have just sold Ben Godfrey to Atalanta, and both James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have recently turned 31.
They are no spring chickens, and a defensive revamp is sorely needed at Goodison Park regardless of whether it is funded by Branthwaite’s sale or not.
O’Brien would likely be the perfect start to this endeavour, given he would not be too expensive, but would easily slip into Dyche’s system with little need to change his game style.
After all, last season in Ligue 1 the 23-year-old averaged 3.4 long balls per game, and paired that with 3.6 clearances and 4.7 ball recoveries per game.
For comparison, that makes him far more accurate with his long passes, a trait richly needed for a Dyche defender, than both Branthwaite and Tarkowski, whilst equally as adept at defending the box too.
It also helps that he stands at 6 foot 5, and is already a keen goal threat for his current side.
He would seamlessly slot in, and offer a fine third option for Everton to consider going into their final year at Goodison Park.
