Chelsea striker Marc Guiu has opted 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.
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 is the latest edition to Sunderland’s swelling squad, with Regis Le Bris embarking on a £113 spree of signings which has seen the likes of Granit Xhaka, Simon Adingra, and Enzo Le Fee arrive.
He 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.
Sunderland have signed Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu on loan for their Premier League return
Guiu had a big impact in their Europa Conference League League phase but was injured for a big chunk of last season
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has been making constant additions to his squad
Former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfidlder Granit Xhaka has also signed up
After that game, Joe Cole insisted he could be like 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.’
His progress was stunted 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.
Chelsea could also loan out winger Tyrique George, 19, while Armando Broja is available for £25m.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson is attracting interest from Newcastle United and Manchester United following the club’s purchase of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens this summer.
Chelsea are also in talks to add RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons to Enzo Maresca’s squad following the arrival of his Dutch international teammate Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
Eighteen-year-old Jesse Derry has joined Chelsea after leaving Crystal Palace.
