West Ham must take Chelsea transfer action ASAP | OneFootball

West Ham United should look to sign Tyrique George from Chelsea this summer with a permanent exit looking likely

The summer transfer window is officially open, and for West Ham United, fewer clubs in the EFL are set to have a more lucrative few months.

Following their return to the Championship after 14 years, West Ham will be keen to ensure their time outside the top-flight is as short-lived as possible, and to ensure they are as well-placed as possible to ensure that reality, a strong transfer window is a necessity.

The Hammers will be prepared for numerous outgoings, including the likes of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, and Jarrod Bowen, each of whom has been touted for a big-money move elsewhere over the past weeks and months.

Fernandes, in particular, could collect up to £80 million in just a transfer fee for the East London outfit, with the Portuguese midfielder heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.

That sort of money would be by far the biggest sale in second-tier history, and would help to offset the loss of revenue in Premier League money and fund a large portion of the rebuild.

With Summerville, too, being touted with a move to United, a gap on the left flank will need to be filled by head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who should try his luck with a move for a Chelsea winger this summer who could be a revelation in the Championship for the Hammers.

West Ham United should try their luck for Chelsea winger Tyrique George

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Across his managerial career, Nuno has tended to prefer a back three formation with wing-backs, as reflected during his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest previously.

Whilst he has utilised a back three on occasion since he arrived in East London last autumn, Nuno has been more inclined to use out-and-out wingers such as Summerville and Bowen, though whether he will stick with that preference heading into the Championship, at this stage, remains to be seen.

If he does indeed decide to continue using wingers, then the Portuguese head coach must consider a move for Chelsea winger Tyrique George this summer.

George, 20, has spent his entire youth career with Chelsea and has gone on to score six goals and grab six assists in 37 first-team appearances for the Blues.

However, the England youth international was made available for transfer in the most recent January window, with West London rivals Fulham agreeing a fee of up to £22 million for his services, though his move to Craven Cottage would eventually fall through.

George would instead join Everton on loan with an option to buy until the end of the season, adding competition on the flanks for the likes of Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish, Merlin Rohl, and Tyler Dibling.

He would play just 210 minutes across 11 appearances for the Toffees, failing to directly contribute to a goal during his stay with the club, as Everton looks increasingly unlikely to make that option a permanent one.

Now, should George indeed return to Chelsea at the end of the month, it looks as though he will play no part in incoming boss Xabi Alonso's plans, with Football Insider reporting that he, alongside David Datro Fofana and Axel Disasi, is set to leave the club permanently this summer.

Whilst a step-down to the Championship, on the face of it, doesn't appear to be an appealing option for George, considering his Premier League experience for his age, it could be exactly what he needs to propel his development.

The likes of Bowen, Said Benrahma, Ollie Watkins, Bryan Mbeumo, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Rogers all plied their trade in the Championship before excelling at the elite level, some older than George during their time in the second tier, as the Englishman could use the division as a platform to excel.

West Ham likely won't have any trouble paying the fee Chelsea will demand for George, and should back themselves to convince the youngster to take a step back before taking two steps forward.

The 20-year-old could light up the Championship in what would be a huge coup for the Hammers, and should be one that both club and player consider making this summer.

Nuno must stamp West Ham United's authority on the Championship

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Heading into the Championship after 14 years away, West Ham will likely be most people's outright favourites for the title next season, purely based off the financial backing and stature of the club.

They will head into almost every fixture, home and away, as the favourites in each one, and with that, they will have to deliver on those expectations.

Nuno will be well aware of this, and having romped to the Championship title over eight years ago with Wolves, he knows how to guide a team to the second-tier title and manage those expectations.

George would elevate West Ham's attack and be an excellent replacement for Summerville, whilst matching the expectations set of the club both on and off the pitch.