Jake O’Brien transfer on cards at Everton clubs queue up for January signing
Everton are fielding interest from multiple foreign clubs for Jake O’Brien ahead of the January transfer window, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The newspaper reported via their website on 30 December that clubs in France, Germany and Italy have registered their interest in the centre-back and are keen to see if the Toffees will let him leave on loan next month.
A departure will depend on if Sean Dyche, who has used him just twice in the Premier League, feels he has enough cover in defence.
Jake O’Brien could leave Everton after falling out of favour under Sean Dyche
The Merseyside-based club shelled out £16.4million to acquire O’Brien’s services from Lyon in the summer.
However, the transfer has not worked out for the 23-year-old so far, having made just four appearances across all competitions for the Toffees.
His only two starts came in the EFL Cup – a competition from which Everton have already been knocked out of.
O’Brien, meanwhile, has been restricted to just 34 minutes of playing time in the league. He has not featured for the club since their 4-0 loss against Manchester United on 1 December.
It would, therefore, be understandable if the Republic of Ireland international is frustrated with his situation at Goodison Park.
He is one of the four senior centre-backs available to Dyche at the moment.
Jarrad Branthwaite has had his own injury problems this season and that might be why the manager is reluctant to let O’Brien leave on loan.
However, it is likely that the situation will change when the window opens later this week.
In other Everton news, this Toffees star was lucky to avoid a red card against Nottingham Forest, a former FIFA referee has admitted.
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Manager who’s ‘among the best’ has told Everton to wait if they want to hire him
A disappointing defeat on Sunday against Nottingham Forest has only raised further questions over Sean Dyche’s tenure at Everton.
Having put together a run of solid form, Everton were unable to see out the year with three points as they suffered an underwhelming 2-0 loss.
The Friedkin Group had given Dyche their support following a meeting between the two parties after the takeover was completed.
However, the loss on the weekend has only dragged the Toffees closer to the relegation zone, with Ipswich Town picking up three points.
But it seems as if one of the managers The Friedkin Group may be eyeing as a potential replacement for Dyche may have told them they’ll need to wait.
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Max Allegri tells Everton to wait if they want to hire him
The Friedkins have already backed Kevin Thelwell ahead of the January transfer market as their man going forward.
But the questions remain around Dyche with the Toffees failing to really pull away from the relegation zone.
According to TeamTalk, the 53-year-old is viewed as competent, but the new owners are going to take their time in making a decision.