Chelsea are aiming to have a deal agreed for Gremio playmaker Gabriel Mec “by the end of this week”, according to Radio Imortal.
The Brazilian outlet broke the story of the Blues’ interest before journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, and they now say a transfer is close to being finalised:
Chelsea quer finalizar o negócio por Gabriel Mec até o final desta semana
A ideia do clube inglês é acertar os detalhes da COMPRA do atleta com o Grêmio.
🗞️ Rádio Imortal
📸 Renan Jardim / Grêmio FBPA pic.twitter.com/xDGg3J1kCs— Rádio Imortal 🇪🇪 (@rdimortal) July 17, 2024
It is important to point out that Mec won’t be moving to Stamford Bridge this summer. The player only turned 16 in April and the Blues will have to wait another couple of years before he can officially make the switch to England.
Chelsea have beaten rivals to the punch
It was reported in September last year that Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain had held conversations with the representatives of the teenager.
However, there is no indication that either club have entered the running for Mec this summer, suggesting the Blues should have a clear run to secure his signature.
Mec will join a long list of players who have joined from South American clubs
If the deal is wrapped up over the coming days as expected, the 16-year-old will be the sixth young talent from South America that Chelsea have signed over the last couple of years.
The likes of Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel, Deivid Washington, Kendy Paez and (most recently) Estevao Willian have all sealed moves to London, despite never having played in Europe.
It is clear that the club values young talent from these countries, and they have been willing to pay sizeable sums in order to bring these players in.
