RB Leipzig signs Marc Guiu from Chelsea on permanent deal with sell-on clause

RB Leipzig has completed a permanent transfer for Marc Guiu, prying the young Spanish forward away from Chelsea in a deal that includes a sell-on clause.

Guiu, born on January 4, 2006, arrived at Chelsea from Barcelona on July 1, 2024, for a reported fee of approximately €6 million. Chelsea had locked him into a contract running until 2030.

A Chelsea career that never launched

In August 2025, Chelsea loaned Guiu to Sunderland in hopes that regular Championship football would accelerate his development. That plan lasted roughly one month before Chelsea recalled him due to injury problems within their own squad.

Under new coach Xabi Alonso, Guiu failed to secure a squad number for the 2026-27 season, a fairly clear signal that he wasn’t part of the immediate plans.

Chelsea had been valuing Guiu at around €25 million, a significant markup from the €6 million they paid Barcelona just two years prior, with the final fee expected to land somewhere between €15 million and €25 million.

Why Leipzig makes sense

The sell-on clause Chelsea negotiated into the deal means that if Guiu eventually moves to a bigger club for a substantial fee, Chelsea receives a cut.

Leipzig reportedly wasn’t the only club interested. Napoli had emerged as a strong contender, and multiple reports suggested it was actually Guiu’s preferred destination. Manchester City and Sevilla were also linked.

Chelsea’s ongoing squad overhaul

Xabi Alonso is known for wanting a tight, well-defined squad rather than a sprawling roster, leaving players like Guiu on the outside looking in.