Marc Guiu's Chelsea Exit Looms as Napoli Pursues Transfer
Marc Guiu’s Chelsea stint already looks close to its end. Barely a year after arriving from Barcelona, the 20-year-old striker is weighing up a move away, with Napoli pushing hardest to take him before the transfer window shuts.
Chelsea sources indicate Guiu has three concrete options on the table, with clubs from Italy, Spain and Germany all in for him, either on loan or on a permanent deal. The decision now sits with the player.
Napoli want Guiu – and asked about Jackson
Napoli are exploring a permanent transfer for Guiu, who scored three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions last season but never truly established himself at Stamford Bridge. The Serie A side are already deep in business with Chelsea, having agreed an initial season-long loan for defender Benoit Badiashile.
Their interest in Chelsea’s forward line runs deeper. Napoli also sounded out a move for Nicolas Jackson, only to back away once they were met with a £65million valuation. For now, Guiu is the more realistic target.
Chelsea paid £5m to sign Guiu from Barcelona in 2024 and now value the La Masia graduate at around £25m, despite his limited minutes in blue. That price reflects potential rather than Premier League output.
What it doesn’t reflect is a place in Xabi Alonso’s plans. The new head coach has made his stance clear: Guiu is not part of his first-team set-up this season. The Spaniard was left without a squad number ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday night. For a young striker looking for a pathway, that is a loud message.
Alonso reshapes attack as Chelsea listen to offers
Guiu is not alone. Chelsea are open to selling all three of Jackson, Guiu and Liam Delap as Alonso trims a bloated squad and sharpens his attacking options in the final week of the window.
Jackson has no shortage of admirers despite an inconsistent first campaign in England. Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring his situation, aware that Chelsea will consider serious offers at the right price.
Delap, meanwhile, has become one of the more intriguing names on the outgoing list. Everton, Nottingham Forest and his former club Ipswich are all interested, while Serie A side Como have also entered the race after already taking Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea earlier in the window.
Chelsea have set a £50m asking price for the 23-year-old forward, who managed just two goals in all competitions last season. That figure is driven by accounting as much as ambition: the club spent £30m to beat Manchester United to his signature last summer and now want to turn a profit. Any sale will also have to factor in a sell-on clause Ipswich inserted when they sold him to Chelsea last year.
Joao Pedro locked in as No1 striker
Amid all the movement and uncertainty, one thing at Cobham is settled. Joao Pedro will lead the line.
The Brazilian has impressed since arriving from Brighton last summer, his form convincing Chelsea to tie him down on a new long-term contract running until 2034, complete with a pay rise and improved terms. He starts the season as Alonso’s undisputed first-choice centre-forward.
That clarity at the top of the pecking order leaves little room for those behind him. For Guiu, Delap and even Jackson, the message is brutal but simple: if they want minutes, they may have to find them elsewhere.
Now the clock is ticking. Does Guiu gamble on Napoli and a permanent reset in Serie A, or choose a different route in Spain or Germany?
