Chelsea transfer news: Barcelona forward completes move to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have confirmed that they have signed Barcelona forward Marc Guiu on a long-term contract.

In recent weeks, the Blues have been facilitating incomings and outgoings in order to meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules for the latest accounting period, which closed on Sunday.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Omari Kellyman have arrived from Fulham and Aston Villa respectively, with Ian Maatsen moving to the latter for an alleged fee of £37.5m.

At a time when Chelsea hope to have met all the relevant criteria, they have moved to announce that the acquisition of Guiu has also been finalised.

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are said to have jumped at the opportunity to activate the 18-year-old's €6m (£5.1m), handing him a contract until 2029 with the option of a further 12 months.

Guiu is Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/6HweEFoqAh

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2024

Guiu comments on Chelsea move

While Guiu is leaving a club in Barcelona that he has represented since 2013, the teenager has revealed that he is 'fulfilling a dream' by moving to a Premier League club.

He told the club's official website: "It's an immense joy to sign for Chelsea and I struggled to sleep ahead of the journey here because I was so excited.

"Ever since I was small, it was my dream to play in the Premier League. Now I have the opportunity to come here to Chelsea and I will work my hardest to be successful for the club."

Guiu added that he must now take time to adapt to his new surroundings, it being revealed that an interview through the club's official media streams was given through a translator.

The youngster added: "I think what's most important [to start with] is that I adapt to my surroundings, which I'm sure will be easy, and then of course I want to win the Champions League and the Premier League for Chelsea.

"On a personal level, I want to help the team as much as I can by scoring lots of goals and I want to become the best centre forward in the world."

© Reuters

Reports have indicated that there are currently no plans for Guiu to go out on loan, with assurances provided that he can first try to prove himself during pre-season.

Nevertheless, it naturally remains a possibility courtesy of just seven appearances and 182 minutes having come in a Barcelona senior shirt.

Guiu dramatically scored within the first minute of his debut, netting the decisive goal against Athletic Bilbao, while he also got on the scoresheet in a Champions League encounter against Royal Antwerp towards the end of 2023.

That said, the Spain Under-19 international has no first-team action under his belt from the second weekend of March onwards, highlighting his lack of experience since graduating from the La Masia academy.

Written by
Darren Plant