Five players Everton could sign for free this week including Kenny Tete

Yahoo

14 hours ago

The end of June marks the conclusion of most player contracts with anyone whose deal has been left to expire available as a free agent from July 1. Everton are expected to utilise the free and loan markets as David Moyes looks to fill gaps across most of his squad.
Advertisement
On Sunday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin confirmed he would depart the club, meaning the Blues will formally cut ties with around a dozen senior players - including Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young and Joao Virginia. Idrissa Gueye has been in talks over an extension while Michael Keane's future is up in the air.
With Everton needing options across the team - from a deputy to Jordan Pickford to cover and competition in almost every area - here are a few players the club look to pick up without having to pay a transfer fee.
READ MORE: Every first team player who could leave Everton this week after Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision
READ MORE: Thierno Barry Villarreal transfer stance shared as Everton set for £34m talks - 'We want the player'
Kenny Tete
The most obvious player in this category is Kenny Tete. The right-back has been offered new terms by Fulham but has not signed them. Everton have stepped into that situation by holding talks with the player and offering him the chance to fight for a spot in the defence in the first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Advertisement
The 29-year-old has suffered injury issues in recent years but is known as an excellent one v one defender who also likes to carry the ball forward, potentially giving Everton a new dimension to their attack.
Whether Tete will choose to remain at Craven Cottage or move to Merseyside is yet to be confirmed but the Bluescertainly hope to make the free agent the answer to the club's longstanding problems on the right of the defence.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Should the pursuit of Tete end in disappointment, another candidate for Everton's needs at full-back is Kyle Walker-Peters.
The 28-year-old played 33 times in the Premier League for Southampton last season and is an experienced and versatile player who could operate on both sides of the defence. With the Blues needing both a right-back and, ideally, another option at left-back, Walker-Peters could offer a shortcut to an answer to both problems.
Advertisement
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender has been continuing his fitness work through the close season - with social media images showing him working out with former Everton midfielder Dele.
Josh Brownhill
Josh Brownhill was a name repeatedly linked with Everton during the reign of Sean Dyche, who worked with the central midfielder during his time at Burnley. Brownhill remained a Claret though and was part of the side that again sealed promotion from the Championship last season.
Whether he will give consolidating in the top flight yet another go at Turf Moor is uncertain - Brownhill is out of contract and has been offered renewed terms but an announcement on his decision is yet to be made.
Advertisement
Moyes wants to strengthen his central midfield this summer and several additions may be required. The 29-year-old offers Premier League experience and scored 18 times in the Championship last year, showing he has the potential to add goals from the middle, something Moyes is keen on. Brownhill could be the type of low-risk, budget friendly move that helps to add depth to the squad while allowing time and money to be focused elsewhere.
Angus Gunn
The exits of Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic leave Everton devoid of a senior backup for Jordan Pickford. Only Harry Tyrer has senior experience after two positive loan spells, with Billy Crellin and Zan-Luk Leban also leaving the Finch Farm goalkeeping department this summer. Tyrer could be promoted but Moyes will want to have a back-up with greater experience should Pickford be unavailable.
Gunn played 35 times in the Championship last season for Norwich City and, at 29, is one of the younger free agents available in this position this summer. The Scotland international may wish to seek first team football though.
Luka Jovic
Calvert-Lewin's exit means Everton are on the hunt for a forward. Beto scored goals when given the chance last season but Youssef Chermiti remains seriously inexperienced and is a candidate for a loan move.
Advertisement
Thierno Barry appears to be top of the list, with the club exploring whether Villarreal will accept offers beneath his £34m release clause. But a big name that is available for free is Luka Jovic.
It has been some six years since Jovic's goalscoring heroics at Eintracht Frankfurt earned him a high-profile move to Real Madrid and he has struggled to reach those heights since. He is now due to leave AC Milan. At 27, he would be a younger option than other free agents Callum Wilson or Danny Ings, though he would be a gamble that feels unlikely.