Everton is officially ready to listen to offers for Irish defender Jake O’Brien. The Athletic reports that while the Toffees would rather keep him at Hill Dickinson Stadium, manager David Moyes can’t guarantee the regular playing time O’Brien wants in his preferred position. This whole situation has become absolutely untenable for both sides.
Playing Time Problems Pushing O’Brien Out
O’Brien’s frustration stems from where he’s been deployed. Last season, he spent a lot of time playing at right-back, even though he’s way more comfortable in central defense. Now, he’s basically ready to leave Everton if it means he can finally play in his preferred role. This isn’t just talk, either; O’Brien was an unused substitute during Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their Premier League curtain-raiser just this past Saturday. Talk about a clear signal. James Tarkowski, the captain, and Jarrad Branthwaite started at centre-back, with Merlin Rohl filling in on the right side of defense. It’s tough to see a path for O’Brien right now.
A £17 Million Problem With Deadline Day Looming
Letting O’Brien go is a massive gamble for Everton. If he leaves, Moyes would be left with only three senior centre-backs. Remember, O’Brien was once seen as a key piece of Everton’s backline alongside Branthwaite. He made 37 Premier League appearances last season, although only five of those were at centre-back. His ability to cover at right-back made him useful, but it also really highlighted his desire for his natural spot. With Tarkowski now rocking the captain’s armband and Branthwaite fighting for a regular starting spot, O’Brien’s minutes at centre-back are looking incredibly slim. He joined Everton from Olympique Lyon in 2024 in a £17 million deal, so there’s a lot of development still ahead for him. Clubs in England, Italy, and France are already sniffing around him as deadline day gets closer. Everton’s got a lot on their plate, with interest in Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Fulham’s Timothy Castagne for a new right-back. They’re also expecting offers for striker Beto, while Ilimian Ndiaye is getting looks from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, and Liam Delap is admired by the staff.
The transfer deadline is right on the horizon, and Everton needs to move fast. They’ve got to decide if they’re cashing in on O’Brien or figuring out how to keep a clearly unhappy player who could still be a crucial part of their future defense, even if it’s not in his ideal spot. This next week is going to be wild for the Toffees.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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