Nottingham Forest are currently looking for an international central defender as they prepare to say goodbye to Moussa Niakhate.
The Senegalese defender has packed his bags in Nottingham and should be unveiled as a Lyon player soon.
Niakhate has been the fall guy as Forest tries to meet the most recent round of PSR criteria, and his sale has been mostly positive.
His departure does leave Forest a little thin on defenders, with only Murillo, Willy Boly, and Andrew Omobamidele remaining.
With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that Forest are reportedly interested in signing a central defender.
Nottingham Forest wants Lyon defender Jake O’Brien.
According to The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal, a number of clubs are interested in signing the Lyon player.
O’Brien joined the French club in August 2023 and had a successful debut season.
He made 32 appearances as Lyon experienced a second-half season comeback and qualified for Europe.
Furthermore, although playing as a centre-back, he scored five goals in all competitions and assisted on two occasions.
O’Brien’s form garnered him international prominence, and he also featured twice for the Republic of Ireland last season.
Forest will face a difficult task in signing the former Crystal Palace trainee, as Lyon wants roughly £17 million for his talents.
Furthermore, other Premier League clubs are interested, including West Ham and Everton, who want to sign the player this summer.
Any agreement that is completed this summer will see Palace receive 25% of the profit from any sale involving O’Brien.
O’Brien might star at the City Ground if Forest signs him.
Once again, this would be a popular signing among the Forest fans.
O’Brien is only 23 years old and has a lot of potential that Forest will believe they can still tap into.
The Reds would be receiving a player that outperforms Murill in one area.
According to Squawka, the newest player connected with the Reds won 44 aerial duels for Lyon in 27 Ligue 1 games last season.
Murillo only has 38 aerial wins in 32 Premier League games, which makes for intriguing reading.
If Forest can complete a deal to sign O’Brien, the two defenders might form an effective alliance.
Murillo will never be dropped if he stays with the club because of his sensible approach to defense.
Placing O’Brien next to him might provide Forest with some aerial presence, as well as boost the team’s prospects of becoming more competent at set-pieces.
