Jose Mourinho is turning to his former side, Chelsea, to strengthen Benfica in the winter window. The manager wants to sign Tyrique George on loan for the rest of the season.
According to Duncan Castles on the Transfers Podcast, George's agent is in talks with Benfica after Mourinho showed interest. Chelsea are open to letting him leave this month, but want an obligation to buy instead of an option at the end of the season. He said (via HITC):
“Benfica have been looking to get a deal in place for George. They are very keen to take the player. The agent is working to make that happen. The problem is the cost. Benfica is proposing a loan with an option to buy. Chelsea would like a guaranteed fee on that deal. Benfica haven’t given up yet. So there is still the possibility of that move happening before the deadline.”
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior heaped praise on George in January, hailing him as a top-class player who never disappoints in training. However, he admitted that he does not have the space to use the Englishman and said:
"Tyrique is a player of immense potential who I've been aware of for a long time. He's been unfortunate. The first game against Charlton, he travelled with the group. He wasn't in the group. Yesterday he was on the bench."
"I've said this to the players, your background, whether you're an academy player, whether you've been signed for £100m, it's about what you do in training. I have to say his attitude to training and what I've seen his attitude in the group has been top class."
George has not played under Rosenior and was on the bench in just two of the seven matches under the new manager. He was close to leave in the summer after Fulham agreed a £22 million deal, but it fell through on deadline day.
Benfica face competition for Chelsea star
Benfica are not alone in the race to sign Tyrique George this window. Sky Sports have reported that Sunderland and Everton are also keen on signing the Chelsea star.
The report adds that clubs in Spain, Italy and France are also keeping tabs on the youngster should the London side decide to loan him out.
Tyrique George has played just 143 minutes in the Premier League this season. He has 192 minutes in his three Carabao Cup matches, where he has scored twice.