Chelsea's George close to permanent Everton move

Tyrique George played 48 games in all competitions for Chelsea and Everton last season [Getty Images]Everton are close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea to sign winger Tyrique George following his loan spell.

>The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan on Merseyside, with an option to buy for £25m, but Everton have renegotiated an upfront fee to one with add-ons.

>George made 11 appearances for Everton, starting once, but impressed manager David Moyes during his four-month spell at the club.

>In May Moyes described him as "an excellent boy" with an "excellent work-rate" when asked about the possibility of a permanent move before the final match of the season.

>With the deal for George close, Everton are finalising a £16m deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

>Attacking midfielder Merlin Rohl is also set to make his loan move permanent following a successful spell from SC Freiburg last season, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman have departed after their contracts expired.

>George, who came through Chelsea's academy, has been available for transfer for the past 12 months.

>He held talks with RB Leipzig last summer, while a £22m move to Fulham collapsed on transfer deadline day in September 2025.

>Chelsea, meanwhile, are continuing their squad rebuild under new manager Xabi Alonso.

>They have signed Marco Palestra from Atalanta and retain interest in Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix, Como's Jacobo Ramon and Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria.

>However, the club are also looking to reduce the size of their squad after finishing 10th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for European competition.

>That means fewer matches and reduced revenue from broadcasting and matchdays, while Chelsea remain under a Uefa settlement agreement for the next three seasons after breaching financial regulations last summer.

>Player sales are therefore likely, with Real Madrid interested in Enzo Fernandez, while Como and Inter Milan are among the clubs keen on Trevoh Chalobah.

>The futures of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana also remain uncertain, along with forwards Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap.

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