Marc Guiu’s loan spell with Sunderland only commenced at the beginning of August.
Chelsea are reportedly in discussions to recall striker Marc Guiu from his loan to Sunderland, prompted by uncertainty surrounding Nicolas Jackson’s future and an injury sustained by Liam Delap.
The Blues had previously agreed to allow Jackson, 24, to undergo a medical at Bayern Munich for an initial loan deal valued at £13 million. However, they withdrew from the agreement, which included a £56.2 million option to buy, following Delap’s hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Fulham.
Jackson was instructed to return to London, while Bayern retained the option to negotiate a permanent transfer.
The funds generated from a potential sale were earmarked for a replacement, with Sporting striker Conrad Harder identified as the primary target. However, Harder was already in advanced talks with RB Leipzig and is still anticipated to join the German club as Benjamin Sesko’s replacement.
Harder, 20, was offered a less prominent squad role at Chelsea compared to the one anticipated at Leipzig.
The alternative solution of recalling Guiu, 19, from his loan at Sunderland is ongoing and now expected to materialize.
Guiu has made three appearances for the Black Cats, including one start in which he scored a goal, since joining from Barcelona for £5 million in 2024.
Sunderland are now expected to re-enter the transfer market to find a replacement.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s concerns that Delap will be sidelined for “six to eight weeks” have led to consideration of three potential scenarios.
These included signing Harder and simultaneously selling Jackson, recalling Guiu, or retaining Jackson.
However, Jackson’s agent, Diomansy Kamara, has publicly stated: “We are not going back. The plane doesn’t go backwards.”
Recalling Jackson appears to be the least likely option, with transfer plans complicated by Delap’s injury during an already busy 24 hours.
The transfer window closes at 19:00 BST on Monday, with Brighton attacker Facundo Buonanotte also expected to join on a season-long loan.
Prior to Delap’s injury, Chelsea made an offer for Barcelona forward Fermin Lopez on Saturday, but a move appears unlikely after he played in La Liga on Sunday evening.
Chelsea are also looking to offload Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana.
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