What we know as Fulham want to sign Everton defender Jake O'Brien

Jake O'Brien has remarkably emerged as a player that Everton are willing to listen to offers for.

The Irishman has had far from a smooth career in Merseyside over the last few years.

Standing at six-foot-six, O'Brien is a towering central defender, who boasts quite a bit of pace for someone his height.

However, those qualities have not been utilised in the position he prefers - centre-back.

Instead, David Moyes has been using him as a right-back, which is far from his best role.

Now, Everton are reportedly open to letting him leave O'Brien leave this summer, with a Premier League side now named as a possible suitor.

How Jake O'Brien could remain in England if Everton exit is sanctioned

The news that Everton would listen to offers for O'Brien certainly came out of left-field.

Particularly after the importance he had in Moyes' set-up last season out of position.

While it was said Premier League clubs had interest in O'Brien, it was not said which of the 20 teams were in the mix.

However, now it has emerged that Fulham are one of the contenders for the signature of the Irish defender.

According to the print edition of the Daily Telegraph on 27 August, the Cottagers want to sign another central defender.

And that O'Brien is a "possible" player they could seek to sign to fill the void this summer.

What does Everton's stance on O'Brien tell us?

The willingness to sell O'Brien should the right offer come in does tell us quite a bit of the mindset at Hill Dickinson.

On one hand, the Blues are likely confident of landing a right-sided fullback despite it taking nearly the whole summer window so far to sign one.

Additionally, it may suggest that Nathan Patterson could have a much bigger role with Everton this season.

Moyes will not want to head into the 2026-2027 season with simply just one right-back, and Patterson is the only natural option presently.

However, the Scotsman could still see his way out if the temporary solution of Merlin Rohl on the right of defence is viewed as a longer term option for the Everton manager.

Either way, the sale of O'Brien would certainly be a surprise, with the Irishman certainly capable of offering more in the centre of defence over Michael Keane.