The Black Cats are set to sign Chelsea frontman Marc Guiu on loan
Marc Guiu
Marc Guiu of Chelsea(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu is set to join Sunderland on loan. The 19-year-old had attracted interest from a number of clubs, notably Ipswich Town, but Chelsea were keen for the teenager to gain Premier League experience and the Black Cats have won the race.
Sunderland had also shown interest in Chelsea’s Deivid Washington who has been on loan at Santos but the move for Guiu represents another coup in what is proving a busy summer for the Wearside club.
Guiu cost Chelsea £5million from Barcelona last year and scored six goals in 16 matches during his first season at Stamford Bridge.
The youngster will be the latest addition to Sunderland’s swelling squad, with Regis Le Bris embarking on a £135m spree of signings which has seen the likes of Granit Xhaka, Simon Adingra, and Enzo Le Fee arrive.
The talented forward had most of his joy in the league phase of the Europa Conference League, scoring all of his goals there including a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers.
Guiu had a big impact in their Europa Conference League League phase but was injured for a big chunk of last season.
After that game, Joe Cole likened him to Luis Suarez, telling TNT Sports: “I likened him to Suarez and I got a lot of stick for it. I’m not saying he is Luis Suarez now, but what he’s got is that instinct and bravery.”
Guiu’s progress was halted by a hamstring injury which sidelined him between February and May, but he was back in time for the final against Real Betis, coming on as a late substitute.
He played a small part in their victorious Club World Cup campaign, featuring against Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis in the group stage, and received his medal from US President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Reinildo Mandava made his first start for Sunderland in Saturday’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to Real Betis at the Stadium of Light.
The Mozambique international played 60 minutes as he continued to build fitness ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, featuring on the left side of defence in what was a strong overall performance from Régis Le Bris’ side.
Speaking after the game, Mandava reflected on his Stadium of Light debut and his first experience representing the Club on home soil.
“It was a special moment for me,” he told safc.com. “To play my first game here, in this stadium, means a lot. It’s something I’ve looked forward to since arriving. It felt good to be out there wearing the shirt and starting to build that connection on the pitch.”
The defender, who landed in Wearside earlier in the summer, was withdrawn after the hour mark as part of Le Bris’ planned rotation, with a focus on building fitness across the squad ahead of the Premier League campaign.
“I feel good,” he added. “It was my first 60 minutes in a while, so it’s an important step for me. I’m working every day to be ready for the start of the season, and games like this help me prepare. Physically, I’m getting there, and I’m starting to understand the team’s style more and more.
“We will keep working. There are two games left for us to prepare, but there is real excitement ahead of the West Ham fixture. We will be ready.”