- The future of Jack Grealish uncertain due to his high wages and £50m buy option.
- Everton are also exploring a possible move for Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas
- Moyse reportedly not extending his interest in the 20-year-old from Chelsea.
Everton went into the January transfer window in necessity. Jack Grealish’s season-ending injury required reinforcements on the left flank. The club moved quickly to bring in Tyrique George from Chelsea on loan. The 20-year-old arrived with hype, having been part of Chelsea’s Conference League-winning squad last season and making 24 appearances for the Blues.
But five matches into his Everton career, George has started just once and played only four minutes off the bench in the last three games he has been available for. The minutes have not come consistently and a permanent move now looks unlikely.
Moyes not looking to take up Tyrique George option
According to the Daily Mail, George is “likely” to return to Chelsea at the end of his Everton loan. The expectation is that Everton will decide against making his loan deal permanent and instead look at other options.
The report states that Everton’s buy option is “significant” – even more than the fee Fulham were prepared to pay for the attacker in January. That figure, combined with George’s lack of game time, makes it an easy decision for the club to pass.
George has yet to register a goal or an assist for Everton. He has shown flashes of his talent, but he has not been able to force his way past Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil or Beto in the attacking rotation. For a player who joined hoping to fill the Grealish void, the opportunities have been rare.
What comes next for Everton on the left flank
The decision to move on from George is part of a wider picture. The Mail also reports that there is uncertainty surrounding a permanent deal for Jack Grealish. The 30-year-old earns around £300,000-a-week at Manchester City, and while he would likely need to take a pay cut, his £50m buy-option would also need negotiating. Everton supporters believe the club should pay no more than £25m.
Crysencio Summerville has been linked to Everton, as has Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas. The latter has 10 goals and nine assists in the Championship this season and is being tracked by the club.
For George, the loan has not worked out as either party had hoped. He arrived with David Moyes described as an “amazing” manager and person, but the game time has not followed. He will return to Chelsea with 15 months left on his contract and a decision to make on his own future.
Everton, meanwhile, will focus on their European push. Seven games remain, and the Toffees sit eighth, three points off fifth. Summer planning is already underway, and George will not be part of it.
- Everton News: Moyes not looking to take up option on Tyrique George
- Iliman Ndiaye targeted by Manchester United, Everton reluctant to sell
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- James Garner’s England Call-Up: Everton numbers that make a World Cup push possible
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