Chelsea have moved closer to signing Marc Guiu by triggering the Barcelona striker’s €6 million (£5m) release clause, reports in Spain indicate.
The 18-year-old broke into Barcelona’s first team last season, netting two goals in seven appearances.
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However, due to fierce competition in Barca’s attack, he spent more time with Barcelona B, where he scored six goals in 17 games.
Guiu might have played his last match for Barca B following their defeat in the promotion play-off to the Segunda Division on Sunday, as Chelsea have now made a move to sign him.
According to Gerard Romero, Chelsea have signaled their intention to pay Guiu’s release clause, and the striker is in ‘advanced’ talks with the Premier League club.
Bayern Munich have also shown interest in Guiu this summer, but Chelsea are now considered the frontrunners.
Guiu made his senior debut for Barcelona last October under Xavi and scored with his second touch to secure a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
‘Marc, a local kid, makes the difference for us,’ Xavi said after Guiu made an immediate impact.
‘I have thought about him because he has a goal, a spark, and I like him personally. I have no problems looking in the academy. Quite the opposite. I give the confidence that they gave me when I was 17, 18 years old.
‘I’m surprised that they’re not scared. I see them with a spark. They look at me with a face like, ‘give me a try, and you’ll see that it’s going to be fine’.
‘I saw it with Gavi, Balde, Lamine, Fermin, and I saw Marc. He does not look scared.’
