Everton are on track to complete the signing of defender Kenny Tete from Fulham. The deal for the 30-year-old right-back is valued at around £9million, though a medical and final details are still pending.
Fulham currently sit 16th in the Premier League with zero points from their opening two games, having lost both. They have scored two goals and conceded four, leaving them with a negative goal difference and six points behind leaders Manchester City. Their next challenge is a home fixture against Crystal Palace on September 5th.
Kenny Tete has been a Fulham player since joining from Lyon in 2020, making 144 appearances for the club. He has two years remaining on his current contract, with Fulham holding an option to extend it by a further 12 months. His involvement this season has been limited; he was an unused substitute in the opening day 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea but started in the subsequent Carabao Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon. The potential move represents a significant shift for a player who has been a consistent part of the squad for over six years.
Everton's pursuit of a right-back has become a clear priority this summer. Club captain Seamus Coleman, aged 37, departed at the end of last season. Nathan Patterson, a Scotland international signed from Rangers for around £11million in January 2022, has struggled with form and fitness, finding himself on the periphery in recent years. This has forced manager Sean Dyche to deploy central midfielder Merlin Rohl at right-back for each of Everton's first three matches of the new campaign. Securing Tete would provide a proven Premier League option to solidify that flank. The Athletic reported earlier on Sunday that Everton were considering a move for the right-back.
The potential arrival of Kenny Tete is part of a busy period of transfer activity for Everton. The club are also in talks to re-sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City. In a significant swap deal, Everton have agreed in principle to sell Iliman Ndiaye to Tottenham Hotspur while agreeing to buy Richarlison back from the North London club. However, they have pulled out of a deal that would have seen Harrison Armstrong join Nottingham Forest. These moves indicate a major squad overhaul is underway at Goodison Park.
For Fulham, the departure of an experienced defender like Tete would thin their defensive options as they handle a difficult start to the season. The club already has injury concerns, with Tom Cairney and Luc De Fougerolles currently sidelined. Losing a player of Tete's calibre for a fee near £9million provides funds but also creates a gap in the squad that may need addressing before the transfer window closes. Their immediate focus, alongside any potential replacement search, will be on halting their losing run and getting points on the board.
