Everton is negotiating a deal worth around £17 million to sign Jake O’Brien from Lyon following his impressive 2023-24 season. The center-back made 32 appearances for Les Gones, scoring five goals and providing two assists. Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1, securing a Europa League spot, and were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final.
Reports indicate that the 23-year-old O’Brien is scheduled for a medical at Everton today, marking a potential return to the Premier League just a year after leaving Crystal Palace. O’Brien joined Palace from his hometown club Cork City in February 2021, initially on loan before making the move permanent. However, he struggled to secure first-team opportunities at Selhurst Park, spending loan periods at League Two club Swindon Town and Belgian second-tier side RWD Molenbeek.
Ultimately, Palace deemed O’Brien not ready for the Premier League, although part-owner John Textor saw potential in him. Textor, who earlier expressed interest in buying Everton as 777 Partners’ takeover faltered and eventually collapsed, is also the majority owner of Lyon through his company Eagle Football Holdings, which includes Molenbeek in its multi-club portfolio.
