Jake O’Brien transfer: Sean Dyche not huge fan after Everton decision
Everton will block any approaches for Jake O’Brien in January despite the defender being out of favour under Sean Dyche, according to the Irish Daily Star.
The newspaper reported in its print edition (1 January, pg 48) that with Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs all keen on the 23-year-old, the Blues don’t want to be short of cover in central defence.
O’Brien has made just two substitute appearances in the league, totalling 34 minutes of football, with Dyche preferring Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane in the pecking order.
However, despite O’Brien being Dyche’s fourth choice at best since his £15million move from Lyon just last summer, the Toffees won’t allow him to make a loan move away for the reason of the season.
Jake O’Brien forced to play the long game at Everton
O’Brien staying put at Goodison Park this month likely means plenty more time on the bench and not the pitch for the Republic of Ireland international, albeit that could change further down the line.
The future of several Toffees defenders is up in the air – as is that of the out-of-contract Dyche – and this could free up a path towards regular first-team action for O’Brien.
Keane – kept in the side ahead of O’Brien amid a series of errors earlier this season – is also coming towards the end of his deal, while transfer speculation still surrounds Branthwaite.
Branthwaite’s £80m price tag has been enough to ward off several interested clubs thus far, but that could change further in the summer, particularly with the 22-year-old at a crucial period in his contract.
Dan Friedkin’s takeover sets in motion a new era on Merseyside, and while January won’t bring mass changes yet, the coming windows could see O’Brien slowly make his way up the pecking order.
In other Everton news, an out-of-contract Toffees star could stay put after his new role for a potential suitor was made clear.
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