DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Everton's Jake O'Brien pre-match during a pre-season friendly match between Dundee and Everton at Dens Park, on July 18, 2026, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Jacob Booth/SNS Group via Getty Images)
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DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Everton's Jake O'Brien pre-match during a pre-season friendly match between Dundee and Everton at Dens Park, on July 18, 2026, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Jacob Booth/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Irish international Jake O'Brien is veering toward the exit door at Everton as the club’s Irish connection dwindles.
His two straight seasons on the right side of defence has led him to look elsewhere as he wishes to return to his natural position of centre-half.
O’Brien was signed for £17m (€19.9m) from Lyon in the summer of 2024 after an impressive season at centre-back, making 32 appearances and scoring five goals.
He won the player of the month award in December of that year over the likes of Vitinha, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Kylian Mbappe.
In his first year with the Toffees, he slowly worked his way into the team. Unexpectedly for him, the spot in the team he found was at the right back position, filling in for an ageing and at times injured Seamus Coleman.
Last season also saw him primarily at right back, trusted by David Moyes for his extra height and defensive nous.
His 40 appearances showed off his obvious defensive qualities. A titan in the air, standing at six foot six inches tall, a defence first mindset, and a surprising burst of pace.
These are traits, though, that many football people would immediately associate with a centre-back, and while he performed well out wide, he believes he is more suited centrally.
The 25-year-old's size causes chaos during setpieces, but there was a lack of the attacking play that has become the standard of top flight full backs, and playing out of his position has seemingly got old for the Corkman.
Jake O'Brien made 40 appearances last season
He sat on the bench in Everton’s Premier League opening day win over Crystal Palace, with new club captain James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite starting centrally and keeping a clean sheet.
Other than O'Brien, the only defenders on the bench for the opener were Michael Keane and Nathan Patterson.
Moyes may have sent them a message after starting versatile new signing Merlin Rohl, who has been compared to German powerhouse Leon Goretzka, at right back.
Immediately, Premier League clubs have begun sniffing around as transfer deadline day looms.
There are reports of interest for O'Brien from Sunderland, Leeds and former club Crystal Palace, alongside teams from Italy and France.
A move this late would leave Everton short in that position as Coleman, who despite his recent sessions with his old GAA club Killybegs, is still contemplating his professional football career after leaving Merseyside last year.
Not only short in defence, it is a whole different animal trying to replace the impact captain Coleman had within the club.
Looking back on his time at Everton there has been shouts that he is one of the greatest signings in Premier League history, considering he cost less than £100k from Sligo Rovers.
After 434 appearances in all competitions, it was an absolute steal.
He was offered a coaching position with Everton, but he declined, seemingly in a bid to continue his playing career.
His last international appearance was as recent as June, proving that he has still something to offer on the playing pitch at 37. It is yet to be seen what is next for him.
Some thought that Coleman could mentor O’Brien, but this seems like a personal decision from the Corkman part to look for a move.
Seamus Coleman of Everton acknowlegdes the fans with his family during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Seamus Coleman of Everton acknowlegdes the fans with his family during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
A move would also mean that there is only one Irish player with Everton. Second choice goalkeeper Mark Travers will continue the long list of Irish internationals who have played for the club.
But while Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley, Kevin Sheedy, James McCarthy and Coleman have over 100 appearances there, Travers made zero Premier League or FA Cup appearances last season.
He only appeared twice in the Carabao Cup and is set for another year on the bench behind Jordan Pickford.
The transfer deadline is 11pm on Tuesday, leaving little room for Everton to move as squads begin to settle.
Everton CEO Angus Kinnear has mentioned that they would have hoped to have a full back in last season.
"I’m confident that we’ll bring a right back in," he said to BBC Radio Merseyside. "It’s a position we’ve needed. I think Jake has done a sterling job for us in that position.
"It was something that we were trying to do last summer and didn’t feel that we could get the quality in.
"A right-back was top priority in the window, we would have liked to have got it done earlier.
"I understand the fans' frustrations; I understand how they see it as being critical.
"So, we are working hard to bring one in and I’m sure we will. I’m sure it will be an improvement, and it will round off the squad nicely."
This may have given O'Brien the opportunity to compete solely for that centre-back spot. But now he must make an important decision on which club he begins the prime of his career with.
Replacing the club captain is already a difficult task, but now, with O’Brien’s wish to move on, the last few days of the transfer window could be busy for Everton.