Leeds United have been in contact to sign Everton defender Jake O’Brien, with David Moyes’ side willing to consider a sale on one condition.
Daniel Farke has already improved his defence significantly this summer, signing Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi, and it has paid dividends, with his side defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 away in their first Premier League game, before winning 2-0 at the City Ground in the EFL Cup.
However, Farke has confirmed he wants to make more signings ahead of the September 1st transfer deadline, saying: “So I’m pleased with our signings so far. But we know that there are definitely also a few positions where we can improve and have to improve our squad for a long, long season.
“This is also what our supporters, what the club, what Leeds United, deserves – that we try our best in the last second to give ourselves the best possible squad.”
O’Brien has now emerged as a target, having established himself as a key player since signing for Everton, displaying his versatility by featuring at both right-back and centre-back.
|
Why Leeds should sign Jake O’Brien |
|
|---|---|
|
Premier League proven |
The 17-cap Ireland international proved himself in Europe before getting his big Premier League move, spending time with RWD Molenbeek and Lyon, but he has since become a first-team regular for the Toffees, making 37 top tier appearances last season. |
|
Versatility |
O’Brien is a centre-back by trade, but he has been deployed at right-back by Moyes more often than not, and the Scot believes he is well-suited to playing in that area, saying: “He’s done a brilliant job playing at full-back.” |
|
Aerial dominance |
The 25-year-old is capable of making an impact in both boxes too, given his towering 6’6 stature, and he won 116 aerial duels he contested in the Premier League last season. The versatile defender came out on top in 66.3% of the aerial duels he was involved in. |
Leeds make approach to sign Jake O’Brien
According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds have now registered their interest in signing the former Lyon man, who pockets £35,000-a-week but Everton will only consider cashing-in if they sign a new right-back in the next week.
Crystal Palace have also made an approach regarding a deal for O’Brien, meaning there could be competition for his signature, but if the Whites do manage to win the race, there are doubts over how much game time he would receive.
Farke is already well-stocked at centre-back, with Muharemovic, Elvedi, Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol to choose from, whereas Jayden Bogle and James Justin are available at right-back, with the latter player scoring the second goal in the 2-0 victory at Forest on Tuesday night.
