In the last several hours, Everton announced the capture of a 26-year-old superstar for €18 million; the transfer is “just a matter of time.”

Sean Dyche is Everton's new manager as open secret and three backroom staff  confirmed - Liverpool Echo

In the last few hours, Everton “accelerated” the €18 million agreement, calling the transfer “a matter of time.”

Everton and Lyon have reached an agreement wherein Everton would pay Lyon €18 million for defender Jake O’Brien.

Foot Mercato claims that the defender is “about to return to the Premier League” following his stay in France.

Sean Dyche is Everton's new manager as open secret and three backroom staff  confirmed - Liverpool Echo

They claim that O’Brien, who has been a “real revelation” since joining Everton from Crystal Palace in a €1 million transfer, is about to terminate his stint across the channel.

The defender’s departure from Lyon is now “only a matter of time,” as the Toffees have “accelerated” their efforts to sign him in the previous few hours.

Sean Dyche is Everton's new manager as open secret and three backroom staff  confirmed - Liverpool Echo

Based on information obtained by FM, Lyon and Everton have reached an agreement to sell the defender for €18 million, and O’Brien has consented to come to Goodison Park and sign a five-year contract there.

In order to safeguard him while the Toffees deal was finalizing, O’Brien was left out of Lyon’s preseason friendly against St. Pauli on Wednesday. Once he has had a physical, the transfer should be completed this weekend.

Sean Dyche is Everton's new manager as open secret and three backroom staff  confirmed - Liverpool Echo

Lyon is eager to close the deal because they must sell this summer and will profit handsomely from O’Brien, who will be the first of the French club’s possible several high-profile departures.