Everton Near Deal for Chelsea Winger Tyrique George

Everton are closing in on a permanent deal for Chelsea winger Tyrique George, turning a quietly impressive loan spell into a long-term commitment as Sean Dyche reshapes his attack.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on Merseyside with an option to buy set at £25m. Everton have gone back to the table and are now understood to be agreeing a lower initial fee structured with add-ons rather than one lump sum.

George’s numbers were modest – 11 appearances, just one start – but his impact was anything but. Across four months he forced his way into Dyche’s thinking, his energy off the bench and willingness to track back leaving a strong impression on the Everton manager and staff.

Back in May, Dyche publicly praised George’s attitude and work-rate when asked about a permanent move before the final game of the season. Those words are now being backed by action as Everton try to lock in a player they see as a live, developing asset rather than a short-term fix.

Squad shake-up at Goodison

George is unlikely to be the only new face through the door. Everton are also finalising a £16m deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, a move that underlines a clear strategy: younger, technically comfortable players who can grow in value.

Attacking midfielder Merlin Rohl is set to stay as well, with the club poised to make his loan from SC Freiburg permanent after a successful stint last season. His return would add continuity and creativity in the final third.

At the same time, two long-serving figures have gone. Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman have both departed following the expiry of their contracts, stripping experience from the dressing room but freeing up wages and minutes for a younger core.

For George, this is the opening. A leaner squad, more space in the wide areas, and a manager who already trusts his work ethic.

Chelsea clear the decks

On Chelsea’s side, the move fits a broader, more ruthless picture. The club are deep into a squad rebuild under new manager Xabi Alonso, who must juggle ambition with financial reality after a 10th-place Premier League finish and no European football.

Chelsea have already brought in Marco Palestra from Atalanta and remain keen on Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, Como’s Jacobo Ramon and Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria as they retool key areas of the pitch.

But the days of endlessly stockpiling talent are over. With fewer fixtures on the calendar and reduced revenue from broadcasting and matchdays, the club are operating under a Uefa settlement agreement for the next three seasons after breaching financial regulations last summer. Player sales are no longer a choice; they are a necessity.

George, a product of Chelsea’s academy and available for transfer for the past 12 months, is one of the first to go as the club trims numbers and raises funds. His departure follows a turbulent year in which he held talks with RB Leipzig, while a £22m move to Fulham collapsed on deadline day in September 2025.

He is unlikely to be the last out of the door. Real Madrid are monitoring Enzo Fernandez, while Como and Inter Milan are among the clubs interested in Trevoh Chalobah. The futures of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are also unresolved, as are those of forwards Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap.

For Chelsea, this is the uncomfortable side of a reset: talented players leaving before they have fully bloomed, sacrificed to balance the books and reshape the squad.

For Everton, it is an opportunity. They are buying into George’s potential at a moment when Chelsea cannot afford to wait. The question now is simple: can the winger turn flashes of promise into the consistent end product that justifies building a new-look Everton attack around him?