Chelsea winger Tyrique George is reportedly open to leaving the Blues on a permanent deal this summer, and RB Leipzig have asked about the youngster during talks over a deal for Xavi Simons.
Netherlands international Simons is understood to be on the brink of joining the Conference League winners, having dropped a major hint over his future on social media over the weekend.
Simons was omitted from the Roten Bullen squad for their 2-1 friendly loss to Atalanta BC on Saturday due to his imminent move to Stamford Bridge, which ought to be finalised in the coming days.
The playmaker will join Enzo Maresca's side for a straight cash sum, and he will compete with the likes of Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer and Estevao for starts in the wide areas.
Maresca also has talented 19-year-old George in his ranks, and it was reported earlier this year that the 2006-born product was in line for a new contractfollowing his first-team breakthrough in West London.
George has 'possibilities' for permanent Chelsea exit
Chelsea's Tyrique George pictured on May 28, 2025
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now reports that George is seeking an exit from Chelsea this summer, and a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge is not beyond the realm of possibility.
The Blues supposedly want to keep the young Englishman at the club, but George is fearful of reduced playing time following the arrivals of Simons and Gittens, while Chelsea are also being linked with Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho.
As a result, the Conference League winners 'accept his desire' to join a club where he will be guaranteed more minutes, and Leipzig have now registered their interest in the Chelsea academy product, who 'asked' about the attacker during Simons negotiations.
Romano adds that George would arrive at the Red Bull Arena in a separate deal to Simons, but Leipzig will have to fend off competition from Borussia Monchengladbach to win the race for the 19-year-old.
George joined Chelsea as a schoolboy in 2014 and made 26 appearances for Maresca's side across all competitions last season, scoring three goals and setting up five more, including his first Premier League strike against Fulham in April.
However, the teenager played just 48 minutes at the Club World Cup, where he came off the bench to score against Esperance de Tunis in the group stage but was an unused substitute throughout the knockout phase.
Who else could leave Chelsea to make room for Simons?
Raheem Sterling of Chelsea pre match on August 11, 2024
As Chelsea continue to stockpile wingers at a ridiculous rate, George's desire to seek out opportunities elsewhere is no real surprise, and a move to Leipzig would be one of those deals where everybody wins.
The 19-year-old would follow Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Noni Madueke (Arsenal) and Kendry Paez (Strasbourg - loan) out of the Stamford Bridge exit door, and a few more attackers are expected to follow suit between now and September 1.
Thirty-year-old Raheem Sterling has no future at the club after his disastrous loan spell at Arsenal, while Mykhalyo Mudryk's future is in limbo as he contests an FA doping charge.
Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku could be let go for the right price too, while fellow strikers Armando Broja and Marc Guiu are understood to be close to joining Burnley and Sunderland respectively.
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