Kenny Tete's move to Everton now 'very unlikely' with new arrival joining instead
Everton look set to miss out on signing Kenny Tete for a second year running.
The Fulham defender looked close to joining Everton last summer, but opted to sign a new contract with the Cottagers instead.
As the Blues sought a solution to their right-back woes, they once again turned back to the Dutchman this summer.
A fee was agreed with Fulham, but the London side were in search of a replacement before sanctioning an exit.
As that search rumbled on, it appears Everton took a separate path forward, which leaves Tete's move in doubt.
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Why Kenny Tete may not join Everton after all
Everton are now pushing ahead with a move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to add to their right-back options.
A fee has been agreed with Olympique Lyon, with Everton paying £4.2million to sign the Englishman.
However, the chance of Everton signing both Tete and the former Arsenal man are slim.
According to Sky Sports, they say "it is very unlikely" that David Moyes' side bring both right-back options to L3.
Everton have now decided to proceed with a move for Maitland-Niles, as the uncertainty of Tete's ability to leave Fulham continues to rumble.
The Toffees do not want to be left stuck waiting late in the day to discover whether or not Fulham would allow Tete to complete his move.
Why Everton could do with both signings for right-back
Everton would do no worse than adding both Maitland-Niles and Tete, especially as Nathan Patterson is nearing a move to Torino.
The Blues would be going into the season with just one natural right-back, which is far from ideal, and risks them running into last season's problems should an injury occur.
What it does perhaps tell us is that Moyes sees Jake O'Brien's long-term future as being at right-back, with the Irishman the likely deputy to whoever is brought in.
But, perhaps finances and work on other transfers is preventing the ability to do a double deal for right-back.