Marc Guiu Approaches Chelsea Exit as Napoli Pursues Striker
Marc Guiu is edging towards the Chelsea exit door, with Napoli pushing hard to win the race for the young striker before the transfer window closes.
The 20-year-old is weighing up three concrete proposals, with clubs from Italy, Spain and Germany all on the table. Some want him on loan, others are ready to buy. A decision is close.
Napoli circle as Chelsea clear the decks
Napoli are exploring a permanent deal for Guiu, who managed three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last season. They see an opportunity. Chelsea see a chance to cash in.
The Serie A side are already deep in business with the Blues, having agreed an initial season-long loan for defender Benoit Badiashile. Their interest does not stop there. Napoli also like Nicolas Jackson, but Chelsea’s £65million valuation has cooled that pursuit.
Guiu, signed from Barcelona for £5m in 2024, is now rated at around £25m despite limited minutes at Stamford Bridge. The La Masia product has found himself on the outside looking in under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
The clearest sign? He was not even given a squad number ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday night.
Alonso reshapes his attack
Chelsea are stripping back a bloated squad in the final week of the window, and the forward line is at the centre of the surgery. The club are open to selling Jackson, Guiu and Liam Delap as Alonso locks in his attacking hierarchy.
Jackson has no shortage of admirers. Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring his situation, aware that Chelsea will listen at the right price.
Delap is attracting a different cluster of suitors. Everton, Nottingham Forest and former club Ipswich all hold an interest, while Serie A side Como are also keen after already taking Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea earlier in the window.
Chelsea’s stance on Delap is firm. Despite just two goals in all competitions last season, they have slapped a £50m price tag on the 23-year-old, aiming to bank a clear profit on the £30m they paid to beat Manchester United to his signature last summer. Ipswich, who sold him with a sell-on clause, are watching that valuation with obvious interest.
Joao Pedro the main man
Amid the churn, one thing is settled: Chelsea will start the new campaign with Joao Pedro as their undisputed first-choice striker.
The Brazilian, signed from Brighton last summer, has been in sharp form and has convinced the new regime that he is the man to lead the line. The club have underlined that belief with a new long-term contract running until 2034, complete with a pay rise and upgraded terms.
As Joao Pedro’s status hardens, the message to the rest of Chelsea’s forwards is clear. For Guiu, Jackson and Delap, the next move now shapes not just their Chelsea future, but the direction of their careers.
