'Deal on the table' for Jake O'Brien to join Crystal Palace - Everton insider
Crystal Palace had agreed a deal with Everton worth £24million for Jake O'Brien in the final days of the transfer window only for it to collapse.
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Toffees were willing to listen to offers for the 25-year-old in the final days of the window, in news that came as a shock to many fans.
O'Brien was almost ever-present for Everton last season but has failed to appear off the bench in any of the opening four games of the season.
The Ireland international has almost entirely featured at right-back during his time on Merseyside, but is keen to return to his natural position at centre-back.
Given David Moyes' dependency on James Tarkowski and the form of Jarrad Branthwaite, a move away may have been the defender's only solution.
Crystal Palace's deal for Jake O'Brien 'fell through'
A return to Palace would have made sense for O'Brien, after he over two years there as he was breaking through.
The centre-back joined the Eagles from Cork City in 2021 but never managed to feature for the senior team, before his move to Lyon in 2023.
It would take only a year in Ligue 1 for Everton to take notice, spending £17m to sign O'Brien 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?
Should there be merit to claims that O'Brien's potential move to Palace fell through, there will be concern over his return to action.
The Ireland international may well be still feeling the effects of almost having left, and may need some time to regain his motivation for Everton.
Once that desire does return, however, the Toffees would be mad not to bring him back into action.
Given how little depth there is at the back for Everton already, exiling a defender of O'Brien's quality could prove damaging.