Everton set to battle two Premier League clubs to sign £17m player who Sean Dyche admires

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Everton have already enjoyed an active summer wading through the transfer market, but it is widely expected that they are far from finished.

After all, they boast a solid squad, but one that lacks depth in a few key areas.

Already Kevin Thelwell has done well to add some much-needed competition for Abdoulaye Doucoure in Iliman Ndiaye, subject to an announcement, whilst welcoming Jack Harrison back marked a shrewd move too.

However, they still boast an ageing backline, thus making it an outstanding problem area.

Fortunately, plans are already in place to rectify this.

Everton planning to try and sign Jake O’Brien this summer

The latest on Everton’s pursuit of Lyon defender Jake O’Brien comes courtesy of The Athletic, who details the varied interest across the Premier League for his services.

They write: ‘West Ham hold an interest in signing Jake O’Brien from Lyon. The central defender — featured in the DealSheet last week — is on a list of options that is being reviewed. The Republic of Ireland international is being tracked by several clubs in the Premier League, including Everton.

‘Nottingham Forest also discussed O’Brien as an option in their negotiations with Lyon who have purchased both Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala. Lyon have received interest in the player with approaches based around a £17m ($21m) valuation, but that hasn’t progressed as yet.

‘Crystal Palace will receive 25 per cent of the profit of any sale after his departure from Lyon’s fellow Eagle Football Holdings club last summer for a fee in the region of £1m ($1.2m).’

The Liverpool ECHO reported similarly, but also suggested that the centre-back is well-admired by Sean Dyche already.

A Jarrad Branthwaite replacement or partner?

Given Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to leave Everton as Manchester United, his chief suitor, are moving on to other targets, it seems like the acquisition of O’Brien would be to partner the 22-year-old rather than replace him.

After all, the Toffees have just sold Ben Godfrey to Atalanta, and both James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have recently turned 31.

They are no spring chickens, and a defensive revamp is sorely needed at Goodison Park regardless of whether it is funded by Branthwaite’s sale or not.

O’Brien would likely be the perfect start to this endeavour, given he would not be too expensive, but would easily slip into Dyche’s system with little need to change his game style.

After all, last season in Ligue 1 the 23-year-old averaged 3.4 long balls per game, and paired that with 3.6 clearances and 4.7 ball recoveries per game.

For comparison, that makes him far more accurate with his long passes, a trait richly needed for a Dyche defender, than both Branthwaite and Tarkowski, whilst equally as adept at defending the box too.

It also helps that he stands at 6 foot 5, and is already a keen goal threat for his current side.

He would seamlessly slot in, and offer a fine third option for Everton to consider going into their final year at Goodison Park.