In recent days, the footballing world has been buzzing with excitement over Everton’s latest signing, Irish centre-back Jake O’Brien. The deal was finally sealed on Tuesday, with O’Brien putting pen to paper on a lucrative five-year contract. Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Everton had reached an agreement with Lyon for O’Brien’s signature, with the club shelling out €20m (£17m) to secure his services.
O’Brien joins a growing list of new arrivals at Goodison Park, including the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam, and Jesper Lindstrom, all of whom are seen as key additions to Sean Dyche’s squad for the upcoming season. Dyche has been quietly building a strong and talented team, and O’Brien’s arrival is expected to further bolster Everton’s defensive lineup.
Despite the success in the transfer market, Everton is still on the lookout for attacking reinforcements. The club had been eyeing a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, who has been seeking more regular playing time to further his development. However, as of yet, no concrete offer has been made to Arsenal for the services of the 25-year-old striker.
Nketiah comes with a hefty price tag of £40m, but Everton may be in a good position to negotiate a more favorable deal given the lack of interest from other clubs. The striker’s stats and playing style make him an attractive prospect for Everton, especially when compared to the success of another Premier League forward, Ollie Watkins.
Watkins, who had a stellar season with Aston Villa, provided 32 goal contributions in 37 appearances, helping his team secure a Champions League spot. However, when comparing Nketiah’s stats to those of Watkins, it becomes clear that the Arsenal forward offers a different skill set that could greatly benefit Everton. Nketiah’s ability to create chances, finish opportunities, and excel in aerial duels could be just what Everton needs to strengthen their forward line.
With current strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto in the squad, Everton is still in need of a center forward to further fortify their attack. Acquiring a player like Nketiah, with his goal-scoring prowess and all-around abilities, could be the missing piece in Everton’s puzzle as they aim to climb up the Premier League table in the upcoming season. In conclusion, securing a deal for Nketiah could prove to be a game-changer for Everton and their ambitions for the 2024/25 campaign.
