Everton ‘hopeful’ of signing 29-year-old Premier League defender | OneFootball

Everton Make Move for Fulham’s Kenny Tete as Right-Back Search Continues

Everton have submitted a formal three-year contract offer to Kenny Tete, as reported by The Independent, in an attempt to sign the experienced right-back on a free transfer and disrupt Fulham’s current efforts to secure a new deal.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of June, and while Fulham had been optimistic about agreeing fresh terms, Everton’s intervention may now force a rethink. The offer on the table from Goodison Park features “improved terms” and a clear pathway to regular minutes in a side desperate for defensive stability.

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Tete has made close to 120 appearances since joining Fulham from Lyon in 2020. Last season, he featured 22 times under Marco Silva, helping the London club to an 11th-place finish.

Everton’s motivation is clear. With Seamus Coleman nearing 37 and battling injury concerns alongside the inconsistent fitness of Nathan Patterson, right-back has become a clear priority in this summer’s recruitment strategy.

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Tete’s pedigree — 14 Netherlands caps and a history of top-flight experience — offers both short-term assurance and long-term value on a free deal. Whether Fulham counter or concede remains to be seen.

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This is exactly the sort of business Everton should be targeting — calculated, opportunistic and financially smart. With so many deals this summer revolving around high fees and complicated clauses, a free transfer for a proven Premier League right-back like Kenny Tete feels like a no-brainer.

Tete’s consistency at Fulham is something Everton have lacked on the right. Coleman is a legend of the club, but time waits for no one, and injuries have started to define his final years. Patterson has talent but has not had a proper run of games to stake his claim. Tete could provide the bridge between both — experienced enough to start immediately, while allowing Patterson to develop without pressure.

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TFor once, it feels like Everton are being proactive, rather than reactive, in the market.

If they can get this done quickly, it could be a key piece of their summer business. More signings like this, and they might finally start moving forward.