Ipswich Town's hopes of signing Marc Guiu dealt a blow - Sunderland AFC roadblock emerges | OneFootball

A long-standing striker target for Ipswich, the Chelsea man is now wanted by Sunderland too.

Ipswich Town are facing competition from Sunderland and one other club in the race to sign Chelsea centre-forward Marc Guiu.

Adding a new striker to Kieran McKenna's squad is a must this summer. Ideally, the Tractor Boys might get a move sorted for another goalscoring option sorted prior to the start of the 2025/26 campaign, but if they want that player to be Guiu, they've got some serious work to do.

Ipswich were linked with the Chelsea attacker earlier in the summer, just before Liam Delap completed his £30 million move to Stamford Bridge.

The 19-year-old Spaniard only arrived in London himself last summer, but he has struggled for game time in his first season under Enzo Maresca since he joined them from Barcelona for £5 million.

Ipswich face competition from Sunderland in Marc Guiu transfer battle

The East Anglian side now face competition from newly promoted Sunderland, who, according to Keith Downie, are in talks with their new Premier League rivals over a loan move for the 19-year-old.

Regis Le Bris' side are said to be one of three teams that are keen on signing the Chelsea teenager. Swansea City had also been linked with the young Spaniard, but Wales Online have said that they aren't pursuing a deal for Guiu.

Sunderland haven't been afraid to flex their financial muscles since their win at Wembley in the play-off final, and that willingness to spend this summer may give them an advantage as Maresca's side want all of Guiu's wages to be covered, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea also want any deal for him to be a straight loan with no option to buy at the end of it.

The Guardian, who broke the news of Ipswich's interest in the Chelsea forward, also revealed that there would be hurdles to completing such a deal.

Guiu wasn't convinced about dropping a level to go and play at Portman Road, and there has been little movement since then to suggest that his stance has changed much. Ipswich, though, according to The Athletic, haven't given up hope.

Town did receive a boost last week when it was reported by Romano that Chelsea want Guiu to join an English club on loan next season to allow him to develop. His best minutes in a blue shirt last term came in the Europa Conference League, but even in this competition he didn't reach double-digit appearances.

Ipswich may struggle to match Sunderland's pitch to Marc Guiu

The reports of Sunderland's interest will only harm the Tractor Boys' chances of landing the teenager this summer as they can offer Premier League football to him, on top of a proven track record of developing raw prospects.

Like Ipswich, the Black Cats don't have an abundance of striker options, so the chances of Guiu getting top flight minutes would be decent.

It could come down to that (whether he'd be willing to play in the Championship) or if Town would be able to match what Sunderland may be willing to pay.