Everton have reportedly agreed a £9.4m deal with Fulham for right-back Kenny Tete.
Vinny O’Connor and James Cole of Sky Sports report that the two clubs have reached an agreement over a deal that would see Tete move to Everton, with David Moyes finally set to land a player he came close to signing last summer.
The move would also address one of Everton’s key priorities in the transfer window, with Moyes keen to strengthen at right-back.
Moyes Wanted Tete Last Summer
Tete is a familiar name to Moyes, with the Everton boss having pushed to sign the Dutch defender when his Fulham contract was due to expire last summer.
Everton came close to securing the 30-year-old on a free transfer, but Tete ultimately snubbed Everton, decided against the move and remained at Craven Cottage.
Now, just over a year later, Moyes could finally get his man – although this time Everton will reportedly have to pay £9.4m for the privilege.
It represents an interesting turnaround after Tete had previously been available without a transfer fee.
The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland reported in recent days that Everton had been exploring a move for Tete as they continued their search for a new right-back.
That interest now appears to have progressed rapidly, with Sky Sports reporting that a fee has been agreed.
Everton Finally Get Their Right-Back?
The need for a right-back has been clear.
Tete would provide Premier League experience and a player who already knows exactly what is required at the top level, having made more than 100 appearances for Fulham since joining the club from Lyon.
The Dutch international has also played in the Premier League for several seasons, making him a relatively low-risk addition – it appears Moyes is finally getting the defender he wanted.
Only this time, it will reportedly cost the Blues £9.4m.
Opinion: Does Kenny Tete Really Want Everton?
There is an interesting question hanging over Everton’s reported move for Kenny Tete.
Everton CEO Angus Kinnear has been clear about what the club wants from its recruitment this summer.
Speaking in interviews over the past fortnight, Kinnear said: “We want the best possible right-back for Everton and one of the key criteria for that is it needs to be a player who really wants to play for Everton.”
That comment is worth remembering given Tete’s history with the Blues.
Everton came close to signing the Dutchman as a free agent last summer, with David Moyes keen to bring him to Goodison Park. However, Tete ultimately decided against the move and remained with Fulham.
Now, just over a year later, Everton are reportedly prepared to pay £9.4m to bring him to the club.
That naturally raises the question: if Tete wasn’t convinced by Everton last summer, what has changed?
To be fair to the player, circumstances can change. A year is a long time in football, and Tete may now be genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of playing for Moyes and Everton.
But Kinnear’s comments make this an important part of the story.
If the club’s recruitment strategy really is centred on signing players who want to play for Everton, then they need to be absolutely certain that Tete now fits that criteria.
Because there is a significant difference between a player choosing Everton and a player accepting Everton after other options have disappeared.
For £9.4m, Everton need the former.