Everton have been quite busy on the transfer front this summer, with three signings already over the line.
The Toffees signed Ilian Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam earlier on in the transfer window before landing Jesper Lindstrom on an initial loan deal from Napoli this week.
Now, Everton are reportedly closing in on another signing, a defensive reinforcement who has had a ‘phenomenal’ rise to prominence in the past 12 months.
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Everton set to sign Jake O’Brien for £15million
The player in question is Lyon defender Jake O’Brien and, according to Footmercato, Everton have reached full agreement over a €18million (£15million) deal.
O’Brien, who has been a ‘real revelation’ for Lyon since joining in a €1million (£845,000) deal from Crystal Palace, is reportedly set to call time on his stint in France after just one year.
The report claims that the Toffees have ‘accelerated’ their efforts for the ‘phenomenal’ 23-year-old in the last few hours and his departure from Lyon is now ‘only a matter of time’.
O’Brien, who was left out of his side’s pre-season friendly with St Pauli in midweek to protect him as talks went on, is set to pen a five-year contract at Goodison Park.
Earlier on Saturday, Fabrizio Romano declared “here we go” on O’Brien to Everton, and Footmercato’s report corroborates the Italian’s claims.
Everton are getting themselves a bargain
If the reports are true, then Everton are getting themselves a real bargain in O’Brien, who has dazzled at Lyon following his switch from Crystal Palace.
Last year, Lyon signed O’Brien for just €1million (£850,000) and, despite initially arriving as a prospect for the future, he quickly became a key player for Les Gones.
The 6ft 6in powerhouse made 32 appearances in all competitions for the French side, helping them survive relegation.
He scored four goals in Ligue 1 and finished the season as the club’s second-top scorer in the French top flight, behind only striker and captain Alexandre Lacazette.
O’Brien is a tall, physically imposing defender who looks ready-made for the Premier League. And for just £15million, he’s very much a bargain for an English top-flight club.