Everton are ramping up their summer transfer business with the new 2025/26 Premier League season rapidly approaching.
Thierno Barry became Everton’s second signing earlier this week, as he completed a £27m transfer from Villarreal.
Barry became David Moyes’ top target after a move for Liam Delap broke down, so it’s considered a real coup for Everton.
Moyes wants to sign two strikers this summer, so the Toffees are still in the market for another frontman to compete with Barry, Beto and Yousseff Chermiti.
With that said, Jake O’Brien could be a secret weapon in the race to sign an exciting young talent.
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Why Jake O’Brien could help Everton to sign Mihailo Ivanovic
Everton are ‘pressing’ ahead to sign Mihailo Ivanovic after his impressive debut season in the Championship with Millwall.
Ivanovic, who joined from Serbian outfit FK Vojvodina Novi Sad last summer, netted 13 goals across all competitions for The Lions.
It’s understood Newcastle United and Serie A side Parma are also keen to land the 20-year-old’s signature, but perhaps Jake O’Brien gives Everton the edge.
That’s because Ivanovic has recently changed agents to Unique Sports Group, who also have O’Brien on their roster.
That gives the Republic of Ireland international a direct line to contact the Millwall centre-forward in any forthcoming negotiations.
Often, players under the same agency can develop relationships, so hopefully, O’Brien can convince him to make a switch to Merseyside.
Ivanovic tipped for the top by manager Alex Neil
Millwall boss Alex Neil explained back in April that Ivanovic is one of the ‘top 10 talents in Europe’
Neil told the Southwark News: “Any 20-year-old that leads the line in the Championship and he’ll get double figures before the end of the season – if you do that, that’s an unbelievable season and it won’t be surprising me if people start talking about him.
“I think there’s already something I’ve seen the other day about top 10 young talents in Europe. He’s one of them. He’s 20 years of age. There’s very, very few strikers at that age that’ll lead the line at this level and also score goals. He deserves all the plaudits he deserves.
“I think there was something on the Sky app I saw the other day and it was talking about I think under-twenty-year-olds that have made such an impact and he was one of the ten.
“It didn’t come from me, it came through somebody else who wrote the article. I just read it. I agree at the moment he’s having a great season. I agree that he’s 20 years of age, he’s leading the line in the Championship. There won’t be too many doing that just now.”
If Everton do manage to land his signature, he’ll likely be the third-choice striker, however, that could change if Beto leaves for Benfica.
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