'Here We Go': Chelsea loan 'unbelievable' striker to Premier League rivals

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Premier League rivals Sunderland to send rising star Marc Guiu to the Stadium of Light on a season long loan move.

The 19-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Barcelona last summer after the Blues triggered a £5 million release clause in the teenager’s deal. Guiu saw opportunities in the first team under Enzo Maresca last season limited.

The teenager made 16 appearances across all competitions, including two cameos in the Club World Cup, scoring six goals. All those finishes came in the Conference League.

Sunderland agree loan deal for Chelsea striker

Guiu bagged a first half hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers in the Group Stage having also netted a brace against FC Astana and scored against FC Noah. He only made three Premier League appearances, coming off the bench against Manchester City, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Confirming the move to Sunderland, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano took to social media platform X on Thursday afternoon and wrote: “EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland agree deal to sign Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea, here we go!

“Deal in place for straight loan, no buy option clause as Guiu remains part of Chelsea long term plans. Salary covered by #SAFC as he’ll be an important striker for Le Bris plans.”

Guiu has potential to be ‘unbelievable’ striker

Chelsea have already recruited Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town this summer, pushing Guiu even further down the pecking order. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are also reportedly welcome to leave Stamford Bridge in a summer shuffle.

Speaking about Guiu following that Conference League hat-trick, Chelsea legend Joe Cole said: “My thought with Mark Guiu is, how did Barcelona let him go? When I watch him play, and he's 18 years of age, this kid, in two years time could be an established, unbelievable No 9.

“I think he could go all the way, because I watch him and all the things that you can't teach he's already got. He knows when to go in the box, his instincts, his aggression, he's brave. He can brush up on all the other things in his game. And at 18, he's playing with a smile on his face, you know, I think Barcelona made a real, real mistake there.”

Maresca was cautious with the player’s involvement and, speaking at the same time in the season, explained: “Marc is improving a lot, to be honest. He is doing fantastic. Day after day he is more ready for that kind of game.

“Sometimes the decision I take is because I see something. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not. But Marc, day after day, is more ready.”

In other news, Enzo Maresca must rip up Chelsea handbrake on player sale amid Barcelona 'talks' plan.