According to sources in Spain, Chelsea has moved one step closer to acquiring Marc Guiu after activating the striker’s €6 million (£5 million) release clause from Barcelona.
The 18-year-old scored two goals in seven games during his debut season with Barcelona’s first squad.
He was more of a regular for Barcelona B, where he scored six goals in 17 games, due to fierce competition for a spot in Barca’s assault.
But as Chelsea has already moved to sign the attacker, Guiu may have played his final game for Barca B, who were defeated in their play-off for promotion to the Segunda Division on Sunday.
Guiu is in “advanced” negotiations with the Premier League team, and Chelsea has indicated that they would pay his release clause, according to Gerard Romero.
Bayern Munich have also been pushing to sign Guiu this summer but it’s claimed that Chelsea are now favourites to secure the deal.
Xavi gave Guiu his senior debut at Barcelona last October, and he scored with his second touch to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Guiu made an instant impression, and Xavi remarked, “Marc, a local kid, makes the difference for us.” He has a purpose and a spark, and I like him personally, so I have given him some thought.
I had no trouble looking about the academy. In contrast, exactly the opposite. I provide the assurance they bestowed upon me when I was seventeen or eighteen years old.
The fact that they don’t seem afraid surprises me. There is a spark in them that I see. They give me a look that says, “Give me a try, and you’ll see that it’s going to be fine.”
Along with Gavi, Balde, Lamine, Fermin, and Marc, I witnessed it. He doesn’t appear to be afraid.