Crystal Palace reportedly agreed a £24million deal with Everton for Jake O’Brien during the closing stages of the transfer window, only for the proposed move to eventually collapse.
That is according to former senior Everton scout Bryan King, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the defender’s uncertain situation at Goodison Park.
Everton were prepared to entertain offers for the 25-year-old in the final days of the summer window, a development which came as a surprise to many supporters.
O’Brien was a regular presence for the Toffees last season, but he is yet to make an appearance from the bench in any of Everton’s opening four matches of the current campaign.
The Republic of Ireland international has largely been deployed at right-back since arriving on Merseyside, despite preferring to operate in his natural centre-back role.
With David Moyes continuing to rely heavily on James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite performing well, a departure may have appeared to be O’Brien’s best chance of securing regular football in his preferred position.
A return to Crystal Palace would have represented a logical move for the defender, having spent two years with the South London club during the early stages of his development.
O’Brien joined Palace from Cork City in 2021 but failed to make a senior appearance before leaving for Lyon in 2023.
After just one season in Ligue 1, Everton moved to sign the defender, paying £17million to bring him to the club in the summer of 2024.
“Of course, the thing that happened in the summer hasn’t helped, has it? You know, the Crystal Palace business,” King told Football Insider.
“Well, he was going there, wasn’t he, for £24m, and it all fell through. It was a shock to him that he was put up for sale, but apparently, there was a deal on the table with Crystal Palace that fell through for £24m.
“Because obviously, I think Palace wanted cover when they sold the centre-half to Man City [Marc Guehi]. But he wants to be starting. That’s the only complaint he’s got, is he wants to be in the starting eleven.”
Why is O’Brien not playing?
If the reports surrounding O’Brien’s failed move to Crystal Palace are accurate, questions may be raised over when he will return to action for Everton.
The Ireland international could still be dealing with the disappointment of coming so close to leaving the club, potentially requiring time to rediscover his focus and motivation on Merseyside.
However, once he is fully ready to return, Everton would surely benefit from bringing him back into the fold.
The Toffees already have limited defensive depth available to them, and continuing to leave a player of O’Brien’s ability out of the picture could ultimately prove costly.