Chelsea transfer news: 'Breakthrough' in talks for record-breaking 19-year-old as loan deal agreed with Premier League side

Chelsea striker Marc Guiu will join newly-promoted Sunderland on a season-long loan deal, according to a report.

The former Barcelona academy product arrived at Stamford Bridge for £5.2m in the summer of 2024 and enjoyed a respectable first season in English football, netting six goals in 16 appearances.

All of Guiu's efforts came in the Conference League, where the 2006-born striker memorably struck a hat-trick in a 5-1 beating of Shamrock Rovers before suffering a serious hamstring injury.

Guiu recovered in time to make a substitute appearance in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Conference League final, but he was restricted to just 70 minutes in the Premier League in his debut campaign.

The 19-year-old made another two substitute appearances at the Club World Cup, but the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have pushed him further down the strikers' pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, Sunderland agree Guiu loan after 'breakthrough'

As a result, it was decided that a loan move away would be best for his development, and Sky Sports News reports that Premier League returnees Sunderland will host him at the Stadium of Light for the 2025-26 season.

Guiu has apparently given the green light to joining the Black Cats on a straight loan deal with no option or obligation to buy, and a 'breakthrough' in talks was reached on Thursday morning.

The Spain Under-19 international will soon undergo his medical with Regis Le Bris's side before becoming their ninth signing of the summer, joining Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Reinildo, Matthew Burns, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra at the Stadium of Light.

Guiu spent 11 years in the Barcelona system from 2013 to 2024 and memorably scored on his first senior appearance after just 23 seconds in 2023, becoming both the youngest and fastest player to score for Barca in La Liga.

What other attackers could leave Chelsea in summer transfer window?

Guiu is set to become the fourth Chelsea attacker to leave the West London giants this summer, and the second to head out on loan following the exit of Kendry Paez to sister club Strasbourg.

The Blues have also sold Noni Madueke and Joao Felix to Arsenal and Al-Nassr respectively on permanent deals, while Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson has been persistently linked with an exit following the arrivals of Delap and Pedro.

Jackson recently made a telling "competition" claim amid the speculation surrounding his next career move, while fellow central attacker Christopher Nkunku could also depart if the right offer arrives.

Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana are out in the cold at Stamford Bridge as well, but Chelsea do not appear to have received any firm approaches for either fringe striker just yet.

The Blues face Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in their final two pre-season friendlies on August 8 and 10 respectively before opening their Premier League season against London rivals Crystal Palace on August 17.