Barcelona's loss of striker Marc Guiu has been called into question after the teenage striker impressed in Chelsea's 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
Guiu made an impact at Barcelona last season but took his talents to Chelsea in the summer in a deal worth just £5million. While first-team opportunities have not been easy to come by so far, the 18-year-old has caught the eye in the Conference League and has taken his tally to six goals in just 284 minutes in the competition with one hat-trick -trick against Shamrock. Rovers.
“How is it Barcelona let him go?'' said former Chelsea star Joe Cole TNT Sports after the match. “This kid in two years can be a solid number nine. I think he can go all the way. Barcelona have made a mistake.”
Indeed, Barcelona could do nothing to stop Guiu leaving as Chelsea stepped up to trigger the teenager's £5m release clause before the Blaugrana managed to raise him with a contract extension.
Barcelona tried to renew Gui's contract, with sporting director Deco confirming they did everything they could to keep the exciting forward.
“Chelsea paid the buyout clause and he left,” said Deco. “He had an old contract, with a purchase clause of 6 million euros.
“He was offered a proper contract and an important project, but he chose to go in a different direction. The player chose to accept Chelsea's offer. We offered him a project to be a striker at Barcelona, but he didn't want it.”
Club president Joan Laporta also claimed that Guiu “wanted to leave Barcelona”, arguing that the club would not work to convince players who did not want to stay.
Guiu's move to Chelsea was no coincidence either. When he joined the Blues, an interview conducted alongside his grandfather revealed his long-held dream of taking his talent to Premier League.
“I started playing football because of my grandfather, because of you,” said Guiu to his grandfather Manel. “You were a huge inspiration to me when I was a kid playing on the field all day.”
In response, Manel revealed: “I appreciate this and all your sacrifices. You've made it where you always said you would. Do you remember how you used to say, 'Do you know where I'm going to play?' and I would answer, 'Where?' and you'll say, 'Premier League' and see, well done son.