Everton have reached a preliminary agreement with Lyon to acquire centre-back Jake O’Brien, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Toffees have been on the lookout for a new defender all summer, partly due to uncertainty about the future of key player Jarrad Branthwaite amid interest from Manchester United.
With this new agreement, Everton have addressed their centre-back needs by securing a deal with the Ligue 1 club for a player who has been a target throughout the transfer window. O’Brien, who joined Ligue 1 from Crystal Palace for just £1 million in the summer of 2023, made a strong impression last season and attracted interest from several Premier League teams.
Recognized for his “exceptional” aerial ability and physicality, the Republic of Ireland international is expected to align well with Sean Dyche’s playing style and will compete for a starting role alongside Branthwaite and vice-captain James Tarkowski.
However, despite the deal with Lyon, there are still no finalized personal terms for a move to Goodison Park, as reported by Fabrizio Romano via X. If O’Brien finalizes his personal terms, he is likely to undergo a medical on Sunday (28 July) in preparation for his transfer back to England.
O’Brien has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Everton, though the medical could be delayed to Monday (29 July) if necessary to complete the paperwork.
West Ham had also shown interest in O’Brien as they sought to strengthen their squad, but Everton now appear to be leading the pursuit for his signature.
