David Moyes
Everton defender Jake O'Brien is the subject of 'serious interest' from Premier League rivals and European sides with the Toffees braced for bids before the end of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with David Moyes opting for James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite at the heart of his defence.
O'Brien arrived on Merseyside in 2024, signing a four-year deal with the club after a £17million fee was agreed with Ligue 1 side Lyon. The centre-back was a regular under Moyes last season, playing 3,300 minutes over the campaign.
Everton could be busy in the final week of the transfer window
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in action with Everton's Jake O'Brien
Nonetheless, The Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath reports that there is 'serious interest' from rivals and adds that Everton will listen to suitable offers for the player.
The Toffees are expecting a busy end to the window, with Moyes reportedly still keen on bringing five new players to the club - two full-backs, a midfielder, a winger and a striker.
The sale of O'Brien would almost certainly leave Everton also having to invest in a new centre-back. Alongside Branthwaite and Tarkowski, the only other senior centre-back available is the veteran Michael Keane.
O'Brien was more regularly deployed as a makeshift right-back last season and earned plaudits for his efforts in a more unnatural role. When first deploying the player as a full-back during the 2024/25 campaign, Moyes said: "I think he was the one player who, to be fair, Leighton Baines played him in the cup against Peterborough, I'd watched the game and I thought he'd done quite well. He is a centre-half, but a lot of young central defenders make their debuts as full-backs.
“I was one when I was at Celtic, for example. But if you look at a lot of centre-backs, sometimes midfield players might have to play wide. So Jake at the moment might need to...
“He's improving, he's got a long way to go, he's got a lot of things to do. I've been really pleased with the two performances. He's come into the team and we've won two games.”
Jake O'Brien 2025/26 stats:
Appearances 40
Minutes 3,337
Goals 1
Assists 1
Yellow Cards / Red Cards 6 / 1
Everton linked with Crystal Palace and Fulham full-backs
via Reuters
The sale of O'Brien, who is believed to be keen to stay and fight for his place, could allow Everton to invest in a more natural full-back. The Athletic reports that Crystal Palace man Daniel Munoz and Fulham star Timothy Castagne are both options for the Toffees.
The Eagles are said to be willing to let Munoz leave Selhurst Park for around £25million this summer, despite the player being named in the starting XI against Everton last weekend. Crystal Palace have already signed Oscar Mingueza and Anan Khalaili this summer.
Meanwhile, Castagne is one of few experienced heads in a young Fulham side this season. The full-back has been outspoken about his enjoyment working under Alvaro Arebola, and a new attacking role, but is entering the final 12 months of his deal at Craven Cottage.