Everton are advancing towards their third signing of the summer as talks continue to progress over a deal to bring Tyrique George back to the club. Negotiations with Chelsea gathered pace last week as the Blues explored the terms of a move for the 20-year-old winger, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton.
Those conversations have been positive and, while there remains work to be done, hopes are growing that a transfer could be signed off next week, ahead of the return of the first senior players to Finch Farm for pre-season testing. Should the deal get over the line, George would join fellow summer signing Hayden Hackney after the midfielder joined from Middlesbrough in a deal worth an initial £16.5m this week. The package could rise to just short of £25m if a number of clauses are met.
Loan spell impact
George endured mixed fortunes during his loan spell, starting just once in his 11 appearances for the Blues. He repeatedly made an impact from the bench, however, and while he did not register a goal or an assist, he created several golden chances for teammates in crucial games. Thierno Barry, Iliman Ndiaye and Jake O’Brien spurned good opportunities at decisive moments against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland respectively.
The England youth international’s introduction was a catalyst for significant improvement against Tottenham Hotspur in the final game of the season, with a fine stop from Antonin Kinsky denying him a stunning stoppage time equaliser. George made a positive impression behind the scenes at Everton, with David Moyes pleased with the way he settled on Merseyside.
Transfer negotiations
Everton had an option to buy George set out within the terms of the loan deal but the ECHO reported back in May that, while Moyes and Everton were open to making his stay permanent, a move would require a willingness from Chelsea to negotiate on the fee and structure set out within that arrangement. Talks centred on that gathered pace last week and, while a deal is yet to be signed off, conversations are understood to have moved positively and there is now a belief that, should they continue on the same trajectory, George could be confirmed as an Everton player next week.
Should that be the case it would allow the winger to join up with the squad from the start of pre-season, with the first players due back at the training ground for post-summer testing on Friday.
Other summer signings
George would become Everton's third summer signing. The first was Merlin Rohl, who spent last season on loan from Freiburg, a deal that was made permanent at the cost of £18m once Everton avoided Premier League relegation, thereby triggering the Blues’ obligation to sign him. Hayden Hackney then joined from Middlesbrough in a deal worth an initial £16.5m this week.
