Chelsea make progress on key sale which would boost Xabi Alonso transfer plans

Updated: 30 Jun 2026 11:41 BST | 5 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea are making progress in negotiations to sell Tyrique George to Everton in a €29million (£25m) deal, according to The Athletic.

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The 20-year-old joined Everton on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season in February, with the deal including an option to make the move permanent for €29m (£25m).

However, according to The Athletic, while that mechanism has now expired, the two clubs are discussing a new, permanent arrangement.

STATS

Tyrique George

F (CL)

Everton

Tyrique George

F (CL)

Everton

22

Games
3

Goals
1

Assists

The same publication understands a deal could be reached that would see Everton pay less up front to sign George, but with add-ons taking it close to the €29m (£25m) figure Chelsea were hoping for.

After struggling to earn regular first-team minutes at Chelsea, George moved to Merseyside as a replacement for Jack Grealish after the winger sustained a season-ending foot injury.

However, George made just one start for Everton - in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on 10 February - with his other 10 appearances coming as a substitute.

George emerged through Chelsea’s famed youth academy in 2024, making his senior team debut in the 2-1 win over Swiss side Servette in the UEFA Conference League in August of that year.

He went on to make 25 more appearances for Chelsea in 2024-25, scoring three goals as the club won the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup double under Enzo Maresca.

Before moving to Everton, George made just 11 appearances for Chelsea last season, scoring his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 5-1 win over Ajax in October 2025.

George sale would raise funds as Alonso targets leaders

With George appearing to be surplus to requirements at Chelsea, his potential sale would boost Xabi Alonso’s transfer kitty ahead of his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Widespread reports understand the Spaniard wants signings who can add leadership to a Chelsea dressing room who received a staggering 11 red cards last season.

Alonso was the driving force behind Chelsea’s €9.2m (£8m) bid to sign Granit Xhaka on Sunday, but the offer was rejected out-of-hand by Sunderland, according to The Athletic.

Everton also want Hackney as Chelsea slam Maresca

Everton meanwhile are closing in on the signing of Championship Player of the Year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, with The Telegraph claiming the deal could be worth up to €29m (£25m).

The Toffees saw their push for European qualification tail off towards the end of the 2025-26 season, with David Moyes’ side finishing 13th and three points behind 10th-placed Chelsea.

STATS

Hayden Hackney

DM, M (C)

Boro

Hayden Hackney

DM, M (C)

Boro

41

Games
6

Goals
7

Assists

Chelsea released an explosive statement on Monday which publicly blamed former manager Enzo Maresca for their “hugely disappointing” 2025-26 campaign.

The statement came a few minutes after Maresca was announced as Man City’s new head coach for next season, with the Italian replacing Pep Guardiola on a three-year contract.

Chelsea, who did not mention Maresca by name in their statement, revealed the Italian will pay them compensation for resigning from his post in December, amid Man City’s interest in him.

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