Barcelona striker Marc Guiu has reportedly completed his medical with Chelsea and is on the verge of completing his move to Stamford Bridge.
The 18-year-old has made seven appearances for the Catalonian giants' senior team since graduating from their La Masia academy, scoring on his senior debut in a 1-0 La Liga win versus Athletic Bilbao in October 2023.
Guiu also found the net in a 3-2 Champions League loss to Royal Antwerp two months later, but unlike many of his fellow teenagers, he has not been rewarded with a professional contract at Camp Nou.
While the likes of Gavi, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal have all penned new deals with nine-figure release clauses, Guiu's juvenile terms - which run out in 2025 - include an exit option worth just €6m (£5.1m).
Chelsea - who have made a habit of snapping up young talents during Todd Boehly's stewardship - quickly informed Barcelona of their desire to activate that option, and a deal is now on the cusp of completion.
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Guiu 'to sign six-year deal at Chelsea'
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Guiu has now passed his Stamford Bridge medical, and the Blues have officially paid his cheap release clause, which Barcelona have been made aware of.
The 2006-born striker has reportedly agreed to sign a six-year deal until the end of the 2029-30 season, and it is now only a matter of time before Chelsea make an official announcement.
Guiu will become the Blues' second signing of the Enzo Maresca era following Tosin Adarabioyo's arrival on a free transfer from Fulham, and he will likely be integrated into the first-team squad right away.
The Spain Under-19 international will join Nicolas Jackson, Deivid Washington, Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja in Chelsea's striker ranks, but the latter two are expected to leave before the start of the new season.
Lukaku is believed to be wanted by Antonio Conte for a reunion at Napoli, and Chelsea are willing to suffer a huge financial hit on their £97.5m man, who could now be allowed to leave for just £37.5m.
What will Guiu's arrival mean for Chelsea's transfer plans?
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Even though Guiu will immediately bolster Maresca's attacking contingent, the Blues are still expected to pursue a more experienced number nine in the coming weeks, as Jackson will be the most senior of the trio at 23.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that contact had been made over a deal for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, but the Blues are not thought to be working on a move, as they would have to pay a club-record fee for the Swede.
Similar concerns over price have made a swoop for Napoli's Victor Osimhen unfeasible too, as the Nigeria international has a £113m release clause written into his contract, although Lukaku moving to Naples could throw up the possibility of a part-exchange.
Instead, the Blues are said to be putting their eggs in the Jonathan David basket, as the Lille man could be available for as little as £20m this summer due to the fact that he is about to enter the last 12 months of his deal.
Chelsea are said to have touched base with Lille to enquire about a deal, but Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are also in the running.
Ben Knapton
