It is fair to say that Barcelona were not happy with the manner of Marc Guiu’s transfer to Chelsea.
Chelsea signed Guiu from Barcelona in the summer of 2024 after activating his £5m release clause.
At the time, Guiu was seen as one of the Catalan club’s most promising young players, recently graduating from their famous La Masia academy.
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Understandably, Barcelona were furious after losing him for such a low fee and have since acted to prevent something similar from happening in the future.
Marc Guiu of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Charlton Athletic and Chelsea
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Barcelona increasing release clauses of youth players through conditions being met after Marc Guiu exit
According to Sport, from the moment that Guiu left the Spotify Camp Nou for Stamford Bridge, there was a shift in the club’s contract policy for youth players.
Sport’s report claims that those coming through Barcelona’s academy now have to sign contracts with certain conditions.
Once those conditions are met, the value of their initial release clause will increase, preventing top talents leaving for a small fee like Guiu.
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Liam Rosenior started Guiu against Arsenal in the first leg of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat, so the 20-year-old may very well have a future under him. Rosenior trusted Guiu in such a huge game.
With that being said, Guiu has barely kicked a ball since then and has not made too many starts overall since joining Chelsea. Barcelona will argue that he should have stayed in Spain.
Marc Guiu of FC Barcelona looks on
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Marc Guiu’s record at former club Barcelona
Guiu only made seven appearances at Barcelona, which is not shocking. He was a teenager who had just broken into the first team.
Across those seven games, the Spaniard managed to score a couple of goals, with one even coming in the Champions League.
Guiu has scored in Europe’s elite competition again this season, netting in Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Ajax.
He will want to make more appearances in the Champions League at Chelsea, but that will be hard with Joao Pedro around and the form that the Brazilian is in.
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