Tyrique George deadline-day loan switch from Chelsea to Everton seemed fairly simple on the face of it. The 19-year-old winger had struggled for regular minutes at Stamford Bridge and was sent out to gain senior experience for the remainder of the season. But the focus has since shifted from the loan to the clause included in the deal, a permanent option expected to be somewhere surprisingly high.
The structure of George’s move offers a useful case study into how loan deals with permanent options work, why clubs increasingly rely on them, and what Chelsea are aiming to achieve by including a significant future fee.
What is a loan deal with a permanent option?
A loan with an option to buy will provide the borrowing club a player that they can permanently add to their roster at the conclusion of the temporary spell for a pre-determined fee. Importantly, the choice is not mandatory. The buying club can decide whether or not to activate the clause once the loan ends.
These agreements typically include the term of the loan, a set price to purchase at and some wage or performance related information. If the option is not unlocked, then player just goes back to their parent club.
In George’s case, Everton have secured the right to sign him permanently at the end of the season, but only if they choose to meet the agreed valuation.
Why Chelsea favour this type of deal
For Chelsea, loan deals with permanent options are rarely about forcing sales. Instead, they are used to protect a player’s long-term value while allowing them to develop elsewhere.
Tyrique George is still an academy gem. There’s not a lot in it for Chelsea to sell him on the cheap if they’re not really granting first team football. If they potentially light it up elsewhere, the however-so-high permanent option ensures that the club are covered.
This structure also allows Chelsea to maintain control. If Everton decide the fee is too expensive, Chelsea benefit from a player returning with additional Premier League experience. If the option is activated, Chelsea receive a valuation that reflects their belief in the player’s potential.
Everton have completed the loan signing Tyrique George from Chelsea with an option to make the move permanent this summer ✍️ pic.twitter.com/tKsOvtRqW3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 2, 2026
Why the size of the option is significant
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol says the permanent fee exceeds the £22m Fulham were willing to pay last summer. Although the exact figure has not been disclosed, the comparison alone highlights Chelsea’s stance. A high option fee sends a clear message. Chelsea don’t look at Tyrique George as a potential quick-sale or someone we want to get off the books. Instead, the club view the loan as a chance for their player to develop rather than being used to pave the way for a cut-price exit.
For Everton, the clause provides flexibility. They gain access to a young attacking option without committing to a large permanent outlay unless the player proves indispensable.
Why George needed a loan move
From George’s perspective, the loan is primarily about minutes. He started the season early with Enzo Maresca but his involvement soon dried up. Under the new regime his role was further reduced with fewer matchday squads and no appearances. At 19, regular football is the key to development. A loan gives him first-team football, tactical development and the acclimatising required to meet the unique demands of playing in the Premier League.
It is a decision which has become something of an well-worn route for academy prospects who are highly rated but impeded by competition at elite clubs.
The wider picture
The Tyrique George deal is a demonstration of how modern clubs manage development, valuation and control. The permanent option is not an invitation to buy cheaply, but a protective measure Chelsea insist on for long-term interests. Rather than marking an exit, the loan becomes a step in George’s development, keeping any permanent move under Chelsea’s control.
More on CHELSEA:
Follow Six Sports on
Recommended for you