Fulham full-back Kenny Tete has admitted that he had a deal in place to join Everton during the summer transfer window before eventually deciding to stay and sign a new contract at Craven Cottage.
In a candid interview with Voetbal Primeur, the Dutch international opened up about his uncertain summer, revealing that he was “very close” to leaving after reaching an agreement with David Moyes’ side.
Kenny Tete reveals near-Everton transfer agreement
The 30-year-old was out of contract at the time, and Fulham had struggled to reach an agreement on an extension. That prompted interest from several clubs, including Ajax, who explored the possibility of bringing him back to Amsterdam, and Everton, who made a serious push to sign him.
Everton opened talks early in the window and reportedly agreed personal terms with the defender — before Fulham returned to the table with a new offer.
“I almost left,” Tete told Voetbal Primeur. “We couldn’t reach an agreement with Fulham, but we did with Everton. Once we had 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.” — Kenny Tete, speaking to Voetbal Primeur
In the end, Tete opted to stay in West London, signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2028.
Interestingly, Everton — who have struggled for years to find a reliable right-back — never signed an alternative after missing out on the Fulham man.
No regrets for the Fulham stalwart
Despite coming close to the exit door, Tete insists he’s content with his decision to remain at Fulham, where he has established himself as a key member of Marco Silva’s squad.
The defender has been one of Fulham’s most consistent performers since joining from Lyon in 2020. Known for his defensive reliability and physicality, he remains an integral part of the Cottagers’ back line.
| Stat (2025/26) | Kenny Tete |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 6 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 86% |
| Tackles per game | 3.3 |
| Balls Recovered per game | 3.3 |
| Ground Duels Won | 5.7 (68%) |
source: Sofascore match data – 29 October 2025
Tete’s defensive numbers underline his importance, particularly in one-on-one situations. His positional awareness and tackling ability have been vital for Fulham during a challenging start to the campaign.
Our View
Kenny Tete’s decision to stay at Fulham appears to be paying off. While Everton’s interest was serious, the stability of remaining under Marco Silva — and playing regular Premier League football — has likely benefited both parties.
For Everton, however, missing out on Tete has again highlighted their long-standing issues at right-back, an area they’ll likely revisit in the January window.
For Fulham, keeping the Dutchman was one of their most important pieces of business this year.
Key Insights
- Kenny Tete agreed terms with Everton before renewing with Fulham.
- The defender has since signed a new contract until 2028.
- Everton did not sign another right-back after missing out on him.
- Tete remains a key figure under Marco Silva, boasting a 68% ground duel win rate this season.
- Ajax also showed interest but failed to reach an agreement.
What’s Next
Fulham are back in Premier League action on Saturday, 1 November, when they face Wolves at Craven Cottage. With Marco Silva dealing with multiple defensive injuries, Kenny Tete is expected to start once again as the Cottagers look to build momentum following their Carabao Cup progression earlier in the week.
👉 Could Kenny Tete become one of Fulham’s most important players of the Marco Silva era?
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