Everton closing in on deal for Fulham right-back Kenny Tete

Everton is closing in on a £9 million deal for Fulham right-back Kenny Tete, signaling they have finally reached the position they were targeting all the way back at the start of last year. Tete had previously been close to signing for the club on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2025 transfer window but ultimately signed a three-year deal with Fulham instead.

Since then, the Toffees have struggled to find a new right-back, with Jake O'Brien, Nathan Patterson, and Seamus Coleman all making sporadic appearances. Merlin Rohl has been the sole midfielder playing out of position in the role, but he has yet to truly cement his place. Other potential targets, such as Guela Doue, Timothy Castagne, Daniel Munoz, Matty Cash, Alistair Johnson, and even Aaron Wan-Bissaka, have either been deemed too expensive or have fallen through.

With just 48 hours left in the window, Everton’s chief executive, Angus Kinnear, who has been under scrutiny, confirmed that a new right-back was a "top priority" and was "confident" one would be brought in before the deadline. The former Lyon and Ajax player has not been in the Fulham squad for the team's recent match against Sunderland, further suggesting a potential move to Everton.