Sunderland and Leeds United continue to be linked with many of the same players this summer as the two clubs prepare to fight against the threat of relegation from the Premier League.
Sunderland’s imminent addition of Granit Xhaka will be their seventh of the summer window, taking them level with Leeds. However, Regis Le Bris’ side have spent far more than Leeds, at a staggering £120m.
Leeds have spent £80m so far, but unlike Sunderland, have done so without any player sales. The two are being linked with many of the same players and Sunderland have signed three on Leeds’ summer list.
Indeed, three of Sunderland’s seven additions were Leeds targets before The Black Cats swooped. Leeds made a £22m bid for Habib Diarra, before Sunderland landed the midfielder for an enormous £30m.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSunderland eye fourth transfer win over Leeds with Chelsea talent
Leeds also made a bid for Noah Sadiki, but Sunderland were willing to pay more and bought the Belgian champion for £17m. Leeds and Sunderland held talks for Reinildo Mandava, before his move to Wearside.
Now, Sunderland are looking to do it a fourth time. Leeds had shown interest in a loan for Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, with Leeds also linked with the Spaniard in January. A possible replacement for Mateo Joseph.
But now, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has taken to X to confirm that Sunderland have held talks to land Guiu on loan. The teenager starred for Chelsea in the group stages of their Conference League win.
“EXCL: Sunderland are in talks with Chelsea to sign Marc Guiu. The 19-year-old striker is available on loan and SAFC have made an approach to Chelsea. Ex-Barca youngster could be the striker Sunderland sign.”
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Joining Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer of 2024, Guiu clocked up 16 appearances for Chelsea last season including two appearances in the Club World Cup, and three sub outings in the Premier League.
But his main appearances came in the group stages of the Conference League, scoring six goals for the Blues in seven games. On the back of that, Jermaine Pennant feels he would be a good signing for Leeds.
“He’d work well in a Leeds team. Probably say [Leeds should sign] him,” Pennant said recently. Whether Leeds get that opportunity remains to be seen, with Sunderland now clearly in pole position for Guiu.