Everton have stepped up their pursuit of Chelsea winger Tyrique George after submitting an official loan offer with an option to buy, placing them firmly at the front of the race.
SoftFootball understands that talks are already underway between the clubs, with Everton moving quickly to address attacking concerns following their recent injury problems, as previously reported by SoftFootball. The Toffees are keen to secure the 19-year-old before rival interest gathers real pace.
The urgency behind Everton’s move is linked to their mounting injury issues in attack. Jack Grealish has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a foot injury, a blow that has forced the club back into the market. That situation has made a short-term solution attractive, and George fits the profile perfectly.
SoftFootball earlier revealed that Roma is aware of the winger’s availability, highlighting the level of competition Everton is trying to fend off. Interest in George is not limited to Italy. Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach have kept channels open with the player’s camp, even if no formal bid has landed yet.
Leipzig’s name had previously surfaced during separate talks involving Xavi Simons, though there is no direct link between the two situations. Still, Everton’s willingness to include a buy option, as shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, has given them an early edge.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
EXCL: Everton send official loan with option to buy proposal to Chelsea for Tyrique George.
#EFC currently leading the race for George as talks are underway with many clubs keen on Chelsea player.
Chelsea’s stance has also softened. After a proposed £22m move to Fulham collapsed late last summer, the Blues were initially pushing for a permanent exit.
However, following the arrivals of João Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens, minutes have been limited for George under Enzo Maresca. A loan is now viewed internally as a sensible step to aid his development without cutting ties.
George has featured sparingly this season, making five starts and 11 appearances in total, with his last Premier League outing coming back in October. He has still shown flashes of quality, scoring three times, including a maiden Champions League goal.
A product of Chelsea’s academy since the age of eight, the English-born Ghanaian winger is admired for his pace and direct style. For Everton, this feels like a calculated move. For George, regular football could make all the difference.
