Follow live coverage of transfer deadline day today

Chelsea have completed the recall of Marc Guiu from Sunderland after his loan at the Stadium of Light.

The recall was complicated by the fact that Guiu only joined newly-promoted Sunderland this transfer window, with the deal confirmed on August 6.

The talks to recall the teenager follow the injury sustained by Chelsea striker Liam Delap during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.

Delap pulled up in the first half and appeared to be clutching his right leg. Head coach Enzo Maresca said after the game that he feared Delap would be out for up to eight weeks.

Following Delap’s injury, Chelsea informed Bayern Munich that they would not be proceeding with the proposed loan of Nicolas Jackson to the Bundesliga club in a package worth up to €80m, including an option to buy. The Athletic then reported the deal for Jackson was back on and has been agreed.

Guiu, 19, has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League since joining Sunderland. He also started and scored in their Carabao Cup defeat by Huddersfield Town.

The Spaniard joined Chelsea from Barcelona last summer and scored six times in 16 appearances in 2024-25.

Analysis

Chelsea’s decision to explore the possibility of recalling Guiu from a season-long loan at Sunderland was a surprise move and will raise more questions going into the final day of the transfer window.

Saturday brought the drama of Jackson being granted permission to travel to Germany to undergo a medical ahead of a loan to Bayern. But Chelsea revoked their decision after Delap suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham.

Sunday began with The Athletic reporting that Chelsea would still consider a permanent offer from the Bundesliga club and were also looking at other strikers including Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder.

But Bayern appear to have now ended their interest in the 24-year-old, therefore cementing Jackson’s return to Stamford Bridge.

So why the need for Guiu as well? The teenager has made three appearances for Sunderland having agreed to join them for the campaign earlier this month. He scored his first goal against Huddersfield five days ago.

Guiu is highly rated at Chelsea. Indeed, they turned down offers this summer to sell him permanently. They wanted him to get regular first-team football elsewhere, though, to help his development.

Delap is going to have a scan on his hamstring problem in the next day or two. The prospect of having Jackson and Guiu back in the squad will certainly provide more than enough cover during his absence.

Â