Everton are reportedly on the brink of securing a free transfer deal for right-back Kenny Tete, whose contract with Fulham expires on June 30, 2025. A verbal agreement has been reached for a three-year deal, set to run until June 2028, making him potentially the club’s first summer signing
**Why Everton needs him**
With veteran captain Seamus Coleman advancing in age and limited options like Jonjoe Kenny, Nathan Patterson, and Ashley Young underwhelming, Tete offers much-needed Premier League experience. He brings a solid record: four goals and ten assists across 121 Fulham appearances since 2020.
**Player profile**
The 29‑year‑old Dutch full‑back is a dependable defender with crossing ability and attacking instincts. However, he has had challenges staying injury‑free, surpassing 30 appearances in a single season only once. That said, his four-year stint in England and prior spells at Ajax and Lyon give him valuable top-tier know‑how.
**Everton’s bigger summer picture**
The move fits into Everton’s larger restructuring under David Moyes, as several contracts and loan deals expire this summer. Sources suggest Everton is also exploring other right-back options like Kyle Walker, Vladimir Coufal, and Kyle Walker-Peters, even as they offer Coleman a one-year extension.
**What’s Next?**
With the transfer window open since June 16, Everton are poised to finalise Tete’s signing as soon as July 1—once he’s officially a free agent. A measured move, but one that targets a key gap in their squad.
**Bottom Line?**
Tete may not be a headline-grabbing signing, but he addresses a pressing need. For Everton, it’s a low-risk, experienced acquisition. For Fulham, it’s the end of a dependable era at right-back. The coming weeks will reveal if Tete can deliver the consistency and defensive security Everton hope for—or if Moyes opts for an even broader rebuild.
**Friends of Fulham**
[https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=97253.0](https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=97253.0)