Everton are expected to listen to offers for versatile defender Jake O'Brien, who could be on the move before the close of the summer transfer window.
O'Brien has been a regular feature since arriving at Everton from French club Lyon in the summer of 2024, playing in 37 of their 38 Premier League games last season, although the vast majority of those outings came at right back rather than his preferred central defensive role.
With Jarrad Branthwaite back to full fitness and the Toffees also able to call upon captain James Tarkowski and Michael Keane at the heart of their defence, O'Brien's opportunities at centre back are likely to remain limited.
The Republic of Ireland international was an unused substitute for Everton's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with manager David Moyes preferring to deploy midfielder Merlin Rohl at right back.
Everton are short on options on the right of their defence following the departure of club legend Seamus Coleman over the summer, so they may need to sign a replacement before sanctioning a move for O'Brien.
If they do bring in an extra defender, then there are plenty of clubs seemingly interested in prising O'Brien away from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Crystal Palace
One of the right-backs Everton are reportedly interested in signing is Crystal Palace ace Daniel Munoz and they could use O'Brien as a bargaining chip in any deal for the Colombian international.
Palace would potentially be short on right-back options if they allowed Munoz to leave, while O'Brien may also get more opportunities in central defence at Selhurst Park, with Maxence Lacroix having already left the club this summer.
Everton and Palace have already been involved in one swap deal this summer, with Brennan Johnson having moved to Merseyside and Dwight McNeil having departed in the other direction.
It is also worth noting that O'Brien is a former Palace player, although he did not feature for the first team during his previous spell in South London.
Hull City
Newly-promoted Hull City arguably enjoyed the result of the opening weekend - beating Manchester United 2-0 - but they are still many people's tip to go down and they could do with some extra Premier League quality in their back line.
Hull deployed a back three against United, and if they continue down that road this season, then O'Brien's ability to play either on the right or in the centre of defence would make him a real asset to Sergej Jakirovic's squad.
Lewie Coyle, Semi Ajayi and John Egan all started on Saturday, but they were also part of a Hull defence that was only better than three teams in last season's Championship, so a move for O'Brien would be seen as an upgrade.
Lyon
O'Brien made his name at French club Lyon, featuring 32 times during his one season at Parc Olympique Lyonnais before sealing his move to Everton.
The 25-year-old played and scored in the final of the 2024 Coupe de France - a match Lyon went on to lose 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain - one of five goals he notched during his time in France.
The Lyon supporters remember O'Brien fondly and would likely welcome his return, while it is also worth noting that the defender played exclusively in his preferred centre-back position during his time across the Channel.
AC Milan
Clubs in Italy have also been credited with an interest in O'Brien and AC Milan could be one side that opts to make a move for the former Cork City youngster.
Milan are another team that have benefited from deploying a back three - doing so in their pre-season win over Manchester United and their 2-1 success at Torino in their Serie A opener.
O'Brien could be a natural fit to slot in on the right side of their back three, while the lack of out-and-out right-backs in the Rossoneri squad could also make him an interesting proposition.
