Liam Rosenior drops Chelsea transfer update that may interest Southampton and Leeds United | OneFootball

Southampton and Leeds United are among the clubs eyeing a move for Tyrique George this month

Liam Rosenior has responded to speculation surrounding Tyrique George’s future at Chelsea amid interest from Southampton.

It was reported earlier this month that a number of Premier League sides, including Leeds United and Everton, are keen on signing the youngster.

But the Saints are also pushing to bring the 19-year-old to St. Mary’s this month to aid their bid for promotion to the top flight.

It was claimed earlier this week that George’s future likely lies away from Stamford Bridge, as he has been unable to make an impact in the first team squad, making just four league appearances so far this season.

George has a contract with the London outfit until the summer of 2027, but he almost left the club last summer after a deal was agreed with Fulham, but the transfer ultimately collapsed.

Liam Rosenior responds to Tyrique George transfer speculation

Rosenior has claimed that he is unsure what the future holds for George, having been appointed as Chelsea head coach this month.

He praised the teenager, and believes he possesses a lot of potential, but that the right offer might be enough to tempt the Blues into cashing in on their academy graduate before the 2 February deadline.

"The honest answer is I don't know,” said Rosenior, via Sky Sports (14.06).

"Tyrique is a player of immense potential who I've been aware of for a long time.

"He's been unfortunate in the first game against Charlton.

“He travelled with the group. He wasn't in the group. Yesterday, he was on the bench.

"I've said this to the players, your background, whether you're an academy player, whether you've been signed for £100 billion, it's about what you do in training.

"I have to say his attitude to training and what I've seen, his attitude in the group has been top class.

"So who's to know? A lot of things have to come together.

“For a player to leave you, you need the right interest, you need the right offer.

“It needs to be right for the player.

"At the moment, I've heard nothing in terms of Tyrique, in terms of that, and I continue to work with him in the group."

Southampton face stiff competition for the signing of George, and it remains to be seen whether he’d be willing to take the step down to the Championship at this stage of his career.

The 19-year-old has made four appearances in the Champions League this season, and he’s played a total of 12 times in the top flight, including one start.

Meanwhile, Tonda Eckert’s side are 15th in the second division table, eight points adrift of a play-off place, and they’ve played one game more than some of their rivals.

Next up for the Saints is a home clash against Hull City on 17 January in a 3pm kick-off.

Tyrique George exit would make sense this January

George hasn’t made any kind of breakthrough at Chelsea, and they have so many options to choose from that it may never arrive.

Perhaps a loan to the Championship for the second half of the season would be a smart move, which would be a great opportunity for Southampton, who can offer him that experience at senior level that he needs.

But the opportunity to sign permanently for a Premier League side will also be tempting, if anyone can make a reasonable offer to Chelsea.