Everton Closing in on Jake O’Brien from Lyon

Everton is on the verge of finalizing a deal to bring in Jake O’Brien, a defender from Lyon. The transfer fee is expected to be around €20 million, which is roughly £16.9 million. Jake, who is just 23 years old, has been given the green light to head to Merseyside to discuss personal terms, and he’s likely to sign a four-year contract at Goodison Park, with the possibility of extending it for another year, pending a medical examination.

Last season, O’Brien made a notable impact at Lyon, featuring in 27 matches and scoring four goals, contributing to the club’s sixth-place finish in Ligue 1. The Republic of Ireland international previously played for Crystal Palace but made the move to Lyon last summer in search of more first-team action.

When O’Brien moved from Cork City to France, Crystal Palace included a sell-on clause in the deal, meaning they stand to gain from his transfer to Everton. They will receive 20 percent of the profit, which amounts to around £3.2 million.

Jake O’Brien joined Crystal Palace from Cork City back in February 2021, initially on loan. He made a strong impression during his loan spells, including pre-season tours in places like Australia, Singapore, and the United States, before signing permanently. Last year, he spent time on loan at Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, helping them achieve promotion to the Belgian Pro League, and he also had a stint with Swindon Town.

With the new season just around the corner, Everton’s manager Sean Dyche is keen to bolster his defensive lineup. The club is looking forward to kicking off the new campaign on August 17 against Brighton & Hove Albion.

This transfer has been a long time coming for O’Brien, who has shown promise. Fans and analysts alike are excited to see how he fits into the Everton squad.