Chelsea 'expected to complete' transfer of 16-year-old wonderkid

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Jul 2024 18:43 BST
2 min read

Chelsea are 'expected to complete' the signing of Gabriel Mec, according to a report.

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The Blues have been prolific buyers of talent since Todd Boehly and company took over the club in 2022. Even ahead of this summer, the list of prospects signed by Chelsea was lengthy and they have only added to it in recent weeks.

Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga and Estavao Willian have joined this summer and 19-year-old pair Caleb Wiley and Aaron Anselmino will be announced as Chelsea players imminently. The Blues are not done there, however.

Earlier this week, Brazilian media and Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea had begun to 'push' for 16-year-old attacking midfielder Gabriel Mec. The youngster plies his trade in the Gremio youth system and has yet to make his senior debut for the Serie A side.

Chelsea have been keenly scouting the Brazilian market in recent years and appear to have unearthed another gem.

Chelsea to sign Gabriel Mec

It seems that the Blues have made significant progress in recent days in talks with Gremio and the player. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are now 'expected to complete the signing' of the teenager.

Due to his youth, Gabriel will not be able to head to Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2026. He turns 18 in April 2026. The financial details of the potential transfer have not yet been disclosed and the player also has suitors elsewhere.

If the above report is correct, Gabriel will become the second young Brazilian signed for the future this summer after Estevao, though the Gremio prospect likely won't set the Blues back €60m. Last year, Chelsea also signed Andrey Santos and Angelo Gabriel from Brazil.

According to Radio Imortal, who broke the news of Chelsea's talks with Gabriel, the Blues are looking to have the deal finalised by the end of the week.