Crystal Palace are expected to reject all immediate offers for Jake O’Brien and want to keep hold of the in-demand centre-back for the start of pre-season, Bristol Live understands, which could leave Bristol City without the final piece of their defensive puzzle heading into July.
O’Brien remains a summer target for Bristol City as they look to further add to their defence after the signings of Rob Dickie, Ross McCrorie and Haydon Roberts. City tried to bring in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international on loan in January but were left frustrated by the fee Palace were asking for to make the temporary transfer happen.
The 22-year-old instead concluded his season at RWD Molenbeek in the Belgian second division as they secured promotion into the top-flight with O’Brien among the best defensive performers in the league.
Subsequently there is interest across the continent, from clubs in France, Belgium and Poland, and on Wednesday night the Irish Examiner reported that Ligue 2 Troyes have made an unsuccessful seven-figure approach for O’Brien as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park. The same report details a bid from City but that is not thought to be a recent offer.
The exact size of the bid from Troyes is unclear but unless it’s upped to a game-changing offer - which seems unlikely - sources in south London have indicated everything will be rejected due to the uncertain managerial situation at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles are yet to appoint a long-term successor to Patrick Vieira, who was sacked in March, with former City boss Roy Hodgson concluding the campaign on a short-term basis as they successfully remained in the Premier League.
Hodgson is the favourite to continue in the role, with Lille’s Paulo Fonseca also a contender, but the message has been to all suitors of Palace’s players, particularly the younger element of the squad, is that a final decision will be made by the new manager after he’s been able to assess them across pre-season.
Palace’s first friendly is on July 11 against Barnet and the belief is that O’Brien will be among those given close scrutiny over the first two weeks of the summer programme before a conclusion is drawn.
With a year left on his deal, O’Brien is unlikely to commit to fresh terms, having turned down a contract offer earlier in the year, because at this stage of his career he wants the opportunity of regular first-team football, which hasn’t been the case in south London since he arrived in England from Cork City in 2020.
The Cork-native remains very keen on the prospect of a move to the West Country, should a deal be reached. But the situation is further complicated by the speculation around first-choice Palace centre-backs Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, both who are wanted elsewhere in the Premier League.
It’s difficult to predict exactly what will transpire but the expectation is O’Brien will be eventually made available for transfer and bids can be entertained but, for now, his admirers must wait until a new manager is put in place.
For City, it’s far from an ideal scenario given Pearson’s wish to conclude business as early as possible, albeit with an acceptance that isn’t always possible.
The additional layer of complication is caused by the uncertainty surrounding Tomas Kalas, because it increasingly seems that O’Brien is seen as an alternative to the Czech Republic international if he rejects the terms that were presented to him at the end of last season.
With Dickie, Zak Vyner and McCrorie, City have three right-sided centre-backs, plus Joe Low as the most advanced in the Under-21 set-up, while Rob Atkinson, Roberts and Kal Naismith cover the position on the left-hand side.
However, having been victims of a lack of defensive depth last season, with McCrorie potentially needed at full-back or in midfield, something also true of Naismith in the latter role, another option is desired.
The concept of Vyner being sold can also not be ruled out amid his own contract uncertainty, with City planning fresh talks in the coming weeks as the clock ticks towards June 2024 for the academy product.
Kalas becomes a free agent a week on Friday and even if was to be released, which increasingly seems the case, the door could well remain open, as was the case with Nathan Baker two years ago, unless, of course, the 30-year-old finds a new club.
City would ideally have one of Kalas or O’Brien in place before embarking on their pre-season tour to Austria but indecision regarding both players may require them to wait, unless they were to pivot to other targets.
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