Bristol City remain in the driving seat to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Jake O’Brien, Bristol Live understands, despite interest growing in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international after an outstanding campaign on loan in Belgium’s second division
O’Brien has shone for RWD Molenbeek and was named in the Challenger Pro League’s Team of the Season after making 31 appearances. Molenbeek, part-owned by Palace shareholder John Textor, secured promotion to the Belgian Pro League and his performances have earned him a host of admirers across Europe.
Reports in France over the weekend revealed that Troyes have opened talks over the prospect of signing the 22-year-old and the French club are one of many who want to sign O’Brien as he enters the final year of his contract in south London. The powerful defender has interest elsewhere in France, Belgium, Poland and the Championship, however City remain towards the front of the queue and appear to be O’Brien’s preferential destination should a deal be struck with Palace.
The situation is expected to accelerate over the next week with City CEO Phil Alexander a trump card in negotiations given his relationship with the Premier League club having worked there for 26 years.
Palace are expected to drive a hard bargain for O’Brien, although with 12 months remaining on his contract are also aware this is the last proper opportunity they have to receive any value on the market. However, City are also mindful that their approach for him in January proved unsuccessful when Palace’s loan fee was simply too much.
The managerial situation at Selhurst Park also adds an air of uncertainty because while former boss Patrick Vieira was a big admirer of O’Brien’s potential - joking he was one of the few players in his career he's looked up to - it’s unknown whoever replaces Roy Hodgson - with Graham Potter reportedly on their radar - how they will view the Irishman.
From O’Brien’s perspective, having experienced loans at Molenbeek and Swindon Town beforehand, he now wants to play regular first-team football at a permanent destination and, as it stands, a club like City would be best-placed for his development. Bristol Live has learnt he has turned down an offer of a longer-term contract from Palace for this very reason.
Although listed as slightly smaller, he stands at 6ft 6ins and has been dominant in Belgium at the heart of a Molenbeek defence that was the best in the Belgian Challenger Pro League. A former junior boxer and hurler, his physicality is an obvious attribute that would attract Nigel Pearson who not only wants depth in the centre of defence but also those sort of qualities.
Indeed, despite having unsuccessfully tried to sign him in January, with their decision and analysis on him well-set, City have continued to send scouts out to Belgium to keep checks on the defender who has improved throughout the campaign.
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