Following the successful loan of Jarrad Branthwaite to PSV Eindhoven, Everton didn’t feel the need to do much upgrading at the back, even allowing Yerry Mina to leave on a free and sign for Fiorentina.
However, with their situation what it currently is, January could be critical in their efforts to stay up in the Premier League, and a new centre-back is being looked at.
According to Foot Mercato, the player they are focusing on is Jake O’Brien, currently at Lyon after signing for the Ligue 1 side from Crystal Palace in the summer.
The Ireland U21 international spent last season at RWD Molenbeek in Belgium, whom he helped promote to the first-tier, but when he found out he wouldn’t make it into Roy Hodgson’s plans, he decided to seek something new.
He has started the last seven league games for his club, and it’s explained that the Toffees are ‘thinking about him’ for the January transfer window.
They have ‘already observed him’, meaning scouts have been sent to watch his performances in person, but it could all be in vain.
That’s because O’Brien is ‘very happy’ at Lyon, and the club also ‘aren’t interested’ in letting a player who has now made his mark go so soon after arriving.
Like Everton, they are in a relegation battle, and losing what is now a key element of their squad could backfire tremendously.
Therefore, the whole idea of a move to Goodison Park ‘seems complicated’.
Then again, we all know money talks, and Everton, should they give Lyon the chance of making a healthy profit on the €1m they spent in the summer, could always try and convince them by opening their wallet…
