Irish defenders could be set for high-profile transfer moves

Jake O'Brien and Dara O'Shea look to be on the move.

Irish Football has many problems at the moment but the centre-back position is not one of them.

Last summer saw Nathan Collins break the Irish transfer record with a £23 million move from Wolves to Brentford.

And reports now suggest that his international teammate Jake O'Brien could be about to join him in the Premier League, with a deal in principle agreed between Lyon and Everton.

O'Brien excelled for French Ligue 1 heavy-hitters Lyon last season, becoming a regular in the team as they secured European Football and made it to the French Cup final.

The Corkman grabbed headlines by scoring in that final and raised his profile further a month later by making his international debut against Portugal.

Clubs such as Brentford, Ajax and West Ham have also been linked since the end of that international window but Goodison Park now looks like his most likely destination.

When Heimir Halgrimmson picks his first Ireland eleven for September's Nations League opener against England, O'Brien could well be joined in defence by another man who could be on the move - 26-cap centre-half Dara O'Shea

The Daily Record reports that Celtic are keen admirers of the 25-year-old as they look to improve their performance in the Champions League next season.

Another Irish defender, Liam Scales, featured for the Bhoys on the European stage last season but O'Shea would be considered an upgrade on the Wicklow warrior.