Everton are in desperate need of another right-back after Kenny Tete made a late U-turn on a move to Merseyside.
David Moyes has seen Everton endure a mixed start to the season, which only highlights the need for further investment in January.
One position is on the lips of Everton fans – right-back.
Jake O’Brien has started the season as Everton’s right-back, but the Irishman is more of a centre-back.
O’Brien struggles to truly support Iliman Ndiaye up the right flank, and with Nathan Patterson failing to fulfil his potential, Everton must sign another option.
Fulham defender Kenny Tete.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Kenny Tete explains Everton snub
Moyes thought he had a new right-back signed, sealed and delivered over the summer.
Kenny Tete was on the verge of joining Everton as he came to the end of his Fulham contract.
The Dutchman looked poised for a move to Merseyside, but pulled a U-turn by staying with Fulham instead.
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Tete has now spoken to Voetbal Primeur about that decision, admitting that he ‘almost’ departed Craven Cottage.
A deal was proving difficult to thrash out with Fulham, but Everton put the right offer on the table.
Despite agreeing to join Everton, Tete then thrashed out a deal to stay at Fulham – and he wants to ‘make more history’ in West London.
“I almost left,” said Tete.
“We couldn’t reach an agreement with Fulham, but we did with Everton. Once we’d reached an agreement with Everton, we finally managed to reach an agreement with Fulham. Better late than never, I say. I want to make more history here,” he added.
Tete’s comments certainly suggest that Everton were almost used to force through a deal with Fulham.
That is never a great feeling, but it’s also difficult to ignore that Tete would have been a quality addition.
The Dutchman isn’t flashy, but he is a proven Premier League right-back who has shown solid defensive quality and the ability to support the attack.
Everton need that kind of right-back, and Tete being available on a free transfer only made him even more appealing.
Tete has picked up injury problems this season, but knowing that he was so close to joining Everton will sting for some fans, especially with right-back being such an area of concern.