The January transfer market is certainly going to be an interesting one for Everton, with players potentially coming and going.
Defeat on the weekend against Nottingham Forest brought Everton back down to earth following four promising results.
The Friedkin Group have landed on Merseyside and there is some serious work needing to be done with the Toffees lingering around the relegation zone.
Results have not gone Everton’s way this weekend as the Friedkins get set to back Kevin Thelwell in the January transfer window.
Sean Dyche’s squad needs improving, but Everton are also needing to consider potential sales with numerous players out of contract in the summer.
Everton’s Jake O’Brien receiving January interest
Having signed Jake O’Brien in the summer, the Ireland international has struggled massively for game time under Dyche.
Jordan Pickford has praised O’Brien for his showings in training, but they have failed to translate into minutes on the pitch.
According to The Telegraph, this is now leading to clubs from across Europe showing an interest in the 23-year-old centre-back who signed in the summer for £16m.
It has been suggested clubs from Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga are eyeing the giant defender ahead of the January window.
A move is now said to be resting on whether Dyche feels Everton have enough cover in Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
But that could be a risky strategy from the Toffees, with Keane receiving January interest from Serie A clubs, himself.
Considering Keane’s contract is running out in the summer, it is a real surprise not to see O’Brien having leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
Everton hold seriously impressive defensive record
Unfortunately for O’Brien, the Everton backline has remained fairly solid for most of the season without him.
There are only two sides in the Premier League who have been able to keep more clean sheets than the Toffees.
TeamClean sheets. Liverpool8. Nottingham Forest8. Everton7. Arsenal7
Everton fans have criticised Dyche for not playing O’Brien, but that has not made any difference at all.
The Ireland international has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League all season worth a combined 34 minutes.
O’Brien sent a message to Dyche ahead of the Arsenal game, but the youngster is really struggling to find a way into the side.
Report: Sean Dyche will allow £16m star to leave Everton in January on one condition
