Chelsea starlet Tyrique George has reportedly decided that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The 19-year-old made inroads towards regular first-team involvement last season, when he racked up 26 appearances in all competitions. But the Blues have splashed out on a host of new wide players during the current window and there could be more coming.
Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho may now be out of the equation but Chelsea have brought in Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens to compensate. New signing Joao Pedro can also play out wide, and may be forced to if Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson get the nod through the middle. Then there is Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, who have both been heavily linked with moves to the London club.
Having watched the transfer drama unfold, George has decided that seeking a move elsewhere would give his career the best chance of taking flight. According to Fabrizio Romano, the prospect of reduced game time has convinced the 19-year-old that he wants out before the end of the month.
And while Chelsea would rather keep hold of him, given that he is one of the brightest talents to emerge from their academy in the last few years, the report adds that they 'accept' his desire for regular minutes and a permanent move is 'possible'.
The Bundesliga has been touted as George's most likely landing spot. Borussia Monchengladbach are admirers, while RB Leipzig also asked about him during talks with Chelsea over the transfer of Simons.
The players would trade places in two separate deals, rather than a swap, if things progress. But it is clear that George has no shortage of admirers, and he has seen others in a similar position to himself reap the rewards of taking their careers to Germany.
Sancho, who he shared a dressing room with last season, played the best football of his career as a youngster at Borussia Dortmund. Gittens, who has only just arrived at Stamford Bridge, spent five years at BVB, where he made his senior breakthrough.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has spoken highly of London-born George, who played 13 times in Europe last season and eight times in the Premier League, scoring twice overall. The winger has also represented England up to Under-19 level.
George is one of numerous Chelsea fringe players who could be moved on before the transfer deadline. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Alfie Gilchrist, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku are all thought to be on the chopping block, while Marc Guiu and Armando Broja are on the verge of sealing moves to Sunderland and Burnley respectively.