Exclusive: Everton Turn to Kyle Walker-Peters After Missing Out on Kenny Tete

Everton are working hard to sign former Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on a free after missing out on Fulham target Kenny Tete, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

But Toffees’ boss David Moyes faces a real battle to secure the former England international’s signature, with Wolves, Sunderland and West Ham having sounded out the player’s representatives about a potential move ahead of next season.

Walker-Peters, capped twice by his country, was released by the Saints following their disappointing relegation to the Championship only 12 months after winning promotion to the top-flight.

And now the Toffees hopes to sign him after their deal to sign the Netherlands international right-back Tete fell through.

He is believed to command a wage of £20,000 a week and has no transfer attached following his release.

Moyes had hoped to recruit Tete ahead of the club’s first full season at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

But the 29-year-old penned a new three-year deal with the Cottagers on Tuesday this week just a day after his old contact expired.

PRIORITY RIGHT-BACK

Scottish boss Moyes, back in his second spell with the Toffees in the top-flight, has made signing a right-back a priority this season. 

Experienced Premier League player Ashley Young was not offered a deal, deemed at 39 to be surplus requirements, while skipper Shane Coleman, 36, signed a one-year deal to stay for an incredible 16th season at the club.

But Coleman only played five Premier League games last season and Young a staggering 32 despite approaching his 40th birthday next Tuesday.

Moyes is ideally looking for a young right-back to partner up with the club’s star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who signed a five-year deal with the Toffees this week.

Experienced Ukranian international Vitaliy Mykolenko impressed at left-back last season, with Republic of Ireland international Jake O’Brien having done well in his debut Premier League, so Moyes is happy with his defensive options even despite the departure of long-serving Michael Keane.

Moyes had enquired at signing Manchester City and England right-back Kyle Walker, but turned his attention to Tete after talks stalled.

But our sources have learnt that Walker-Peters, who has 169 Premier League appearances under his belt – from his time with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton – is his preferred target with the new season just around the corner.