Everton close in on deal for young Chelsea star | OneFootball

Everton accelerate late move for Chelsea winger

Everton’s January transfer window was meant to pass quietly. That calm has been punctured by circumstance and opportunity, with TeamTalk reporting that the club are now “leading the race to sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George after submitting an offer to sign him on loan with an option to buy”. What felt like a settled plan on Merseyside has shifted sharply.

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The trigger has been unwelcome. “Grealish has suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which has likely ruled him out for the season”, a blow that has forced Everton to rethink their attacking options. As a result, attention has turned towards a late winger addition, with the 19 year old George now very much at the centre of that thinking.

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Injury forces rethink on Merseyside

Everton “weren’t planning on being overly busy in the winter transfer window”, but necessity has overridden caution. George is described as the “leading target”, reflecting both availability and long held admiration inside the club. TeamTalk note that Everton “have big admirers” of the winger, impressed by his development at Chelsea and within the England youth setup.

The numbers hint at untapped promise. George has made “a total of 37 senior appearances for Chelsea, notching six goals and six assists”. Yet opportunity has been scarce, with the winger having “played just 143 minutes of league football this term” and failing to start a single Premier League game. That lack of exposure has “left him frustrated”, opening the door for Everton to move.

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Loan proposal gathers momentum

Everton’s approach is clear. Sources confirm that the club have “submitted an offer to sign George on loan until the season’s end”, with an option to buy included. Crucially, “club to club talks are understood to be advancing”, and there is confidence at Everton that a deal can be completed before the window shuts.

There remains persuasion to do. “George still needs convincing”, although his relationship with Kiernan Dewsbury Hall gives Everton “added hope”. The financial framework is also emerging. While the option fee is unclear, Fulham’s previous interest at “£22million” provides a useful reference point.

Domino effect in wide areas

Competition exists, with Sunderland also interested, but they “trail Everton in the race”. There may also be knock on effects. Dwight McNeil has been linked with Nottingham Forest, and “should George arrive at Everton, McNeil could be allowed to leave”. That remains contingent on formal offers, but it underlines how one late move could reshape Everton’s wide options.

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George looks like exactly the kind of smart, ambitious signing Everton have lacked, young, hungry, and desperate for minutes. The fact that he has managed six goals and six assists despite limited starts at Chelsea only fuels the sense that there is much more to come.

Fans will also appreciate the structure of the deal. A loan with an option to buy feels prudent, allowing Everton to assess George in the Premier League spotlight without immediate long term risk. If he clicks, that option could look a bargain in a market where attacking talent rarely comes cheap.

There is also optimism about the fit. Everton have cried out for pace and unpredictability out wide, and George’s frustration at Chelsea suggests a player ready to explode if trusted. For supporters who feared a quiet, uninspiring January, this feels like ambition returning at the right moment. If Everton pull this off, it could inject belief into the squad and the stands, and perhaps signal that the club are learning how to strike decisively when opportunity presents itself.