View: Everton to bid goodbye to defensive 'freak' after £17m update for replacement

Jake O’Brien could now face an uncertain future at Everton.

O’Brien has been much improved since Sean Dyche’s exit after being utilised as a right-back under the watchful eye of David Moyes.

The Republic of Ireland international has been a regular this season, helping O’Brien to prove many Everton fans wrong in the process.

O’Brien frustratingly had a goal ruled out against Aston Villa last time out as his impressive performances were so nearly rewarded.

With that form behind him, it would be a surprise if the Toffees were to bring in a replacement for O’Brien, but they could be set to do exactly that.

Everton could land £17m replacement for Jake O’Brien

The Toffees are yet to make a signing at this stage of the winter window, but could step up their efforts in the final two weeks before deadline day.

Strikers are seemingly on the shopping list at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but right-back has now emerged as another target area in January.

That has now seen Brooke Norton-Cuffy linked with an Everton switch, with the i Paper reporting on Wednesday that Genoa are demanding £17million for his signature.

For an England under-21 international and a Serie A regular, that could be a bargain deal if Moyes wants a full-back this winter.

Sunderland and Juventus are also interested in his signature, but the promise of regular minutes in L4 could be enough to tempt him to Merseyside.

If the 22-year-old was to make the move to Everton, it may prove to be bad news for O’Brien as a right-back at the Hill Dickinson.

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O’Brien could be replaced by Brooke Norton-Cuffy despite high praise

Norton-Cuffy is a recognised right-back, so there is every chance his signing could see the Irishman return to the centre-back position.

That move would see him compete more closely with the likes of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite for a starting role each week.

O’Brien has been central to massive praise in the past, with Tony Cascerino being left blown away by his physical attributes while on talkSPORT in March 2025.

He said: “The lad O’Brien at right-back, he’s a freak-handful, complete handful.

“He’s like Dan Burn on the other side, with those long legs stretching, and watching him handle [Kaoru] Mitoma – he’s come in, and that was a player that was nowhere near Sean Dyche’s first XI.

“Everton have improved, literally in a heartbeat – straight away, it’s been a complete change.”

Those sorts of qualities may make him a useful centre-back option to feature alongside someone like Norton-Cuffy, who loves to bomb forward, on the right flank.

Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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