Marc Guiu Close to Chelsea Exit as Napoli Pursue Striker

Marc Guiu is edging towards the exit at Chelsea, with Napoli pushing hard to land 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 move on the cards

Napoli are exploring a permanent deal for Guiu, who scored three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season. The Serie A side, rebuilding their attack, see the Spaniard as a long-term project rather than a short-term fix.

They are already deep in business with Chelsea. Benoit Badiashile is set to join Napoli on an initial season-long loan, and the Italians have also sounded out the possibility of signing Nicolas Jackson. That pursuit has stalled, though, with Chelsea’s £65million valuation cooling Napoli’s interest.

Guiu, signed from Barcelona for £5m in 2024, is now valued at around £25m despite limited minutes at Stamford Bridge. The La Masia product has found his path blocked and his prospects under the new regime shrinking fast.

Not in Alonso’s plans

The clearest sign came before a ball was even kicked. New head coach Xabi Alonso did not hand Guiu a squad number ahead of Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture against Fulham on Monday night. For a young striker trying to break through, that was the message in bold print.

Guiu is not part of Alonso’s first-team plans this season, and Chelsea are ready to cash in if the right offer arrives.

Chelsea’s attacking clear-out

Chelsea are actively trimming their forward line in the final week of the window. Jackson, Guiu and Liam Delap are all available as Alonso reshapes his attacking options around a new focal point.

Jackson has no shortage of admirers. Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring his situation, aware that Chelsea are open to a sale at the right price.

Delap, 23, is drawing interest from Everton, Nottingham Forest and former club Ipswich. Serie A side Como are also keen, having already taken Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea earlier this summer. Despite Delap scoring just two goals in all competitions last season, Chelsea have set a £50m asking price as they look to turn a profit on the £30m they paid to beat Manchester United to his signature last year. Ipswich, meanwhile, are understood to have a sell-on clause in that deal, giving them a stake in whatever happens next.

Joao Pedro the new spearhead

All of this movement points in one direction: Chelsea’s attack now belongs to Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian, signed from Brighton last summer, has impressed to such an extent that the club have already moved to secure his future. He has signed a new long-term contract running until 2034, with a pay rise and improved terms reflecting his new status as first-choice striker.

As Joao Pedro settles in as the main man, the question is no longer whether Guiu, Jackson or Delap will leave, but which door they choose — and how radically Chelsea’s forward line will look by the time the window slams shut.