Chelsea are in negotiations to sign Marc Guiu from Barcelona, but the Catalan club could still make a last-ditch attempt to retain the young striker, multiple sources have told ESPN.
The Premier League side are willing to pay Guiu's release clause of €6 million ($5 million), sources add, while there is also interest from other clubs given the low cost of a potential transfer.
Barca have failed to make progress during contract negotiations with Guiu in recent months, with his current contract expiring in 2025, but sources have not ruled out a final offer in the coming days to try to persuade the 18-year-old striker to stay. .
However, Chelsea are leading the race and have held positive talks with Guiu. They plan to incorporate him into the first team squad, not give him up, in case he decides to join.
The London club has told Guiu's team that they are prepared to meet the €6 million clause and are now awaiting the forward's final decision, which is expected this week.
Guiu has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for Barca this season, scoring just 23 seconds into his first-team debut to help secure a 1-0 victory against Athletic Club last October. He also scored in the Champions League defeat to Antwerp.
Despite training with the first team, he ended the season playing regularly in the B team that was fighting for promotion to the second division of Spanish football. He scored six goals in 16 games for Barça Atlétic, although he failed to find the net on Sunday in the playoff final against Córdoba.
Guiu is in his eleventh year at Barcelona after progressing through the academy and club sources explain that he is highly valued because, as a more traditional and tall number 9, he has attributes that are not usually present at La Masia.
Barça sources believe it was a mistake to give Guiu exposure in the first team without first tying him down to a longer contract with a higher release clause.
Other young people who have stood out this season, such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Hector Fort or Marc Casadó, have signed contracts with much more unattainable clauses.
Reporting from ESPN's James Olley contributed to this report.
