Chelsea were among the European clubs that came close to signing Grêmio teenager Gabriel Mec last season, but the move ultimately collapsed after the player decided to stay in Brazil, according to an interview given to ESPN Brazil.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, considered one of Grêmio’s biggest assets, confirmed that a €15m offer from Shakhtar Donetsk had actually been accepted by the club’s previous board. However, the deal never went through after discussions on the player’s side.
Chelsea also held talks and monitored him closely, yet negotiations stalled due to last-minute demands from the Brazilian club.
Deal accepted, player stepped back
Speaking to ESPN, Gabriel Mec explained that the decision to remain at Grêmio was personal and taken after careful reflection.
“To be honest, Grêmio’s board even accepted the[Shakhtar]proposal. They tried to talk to us, but I spoke with my family, with the people who manage my career, my agent, and we felt it was better not to go,” he said.
He added that the destination itself was not the main issue.“It is a very good club, a club that develops players, gives opportunities and always sells well. Still, we thought it was better not to go now. I still have the dream of playing more for Grêmio. I can help this club a lot, so we decided not to leave at this moment.”
Chelsea interest and future outlook
Chelsea were also directly involved in talks. The London club, which currently counts Brazilian youngsters such as Estêvão and João Pedro in its wider plans, sent representatives to watch Mec in action and were close to an agreement.
“The talks with Chelsea were real. It is a very big club, you cannot deny that. There are many Brazilians there as well. I was happy, really happy, that they showed interest,” the player admitted.
“They came to watch some matches. I always say that the future depends on the present. If I keep getting good results, working properly and doing my job, clubs will keep watching,” he continued.
For now, his focus remains firmly on Grêmio.“I am very focused on Grêmio. I want to make my history here. I have been at the club since I was nine years old. I think I deserve to win many titles with this giant club.”
Next steps remain open
Listed by The Guardian among the 60 most promising young players in world football, Gabriel Mec has a release clause of around R$300m. Grêmio expect interest to continue ahead of 2026, although any departure would depend on both financial terms and the sporting project offered.
As things stand, the midfielder is due back for pre-season on 2 January, while Chelsea and others are likely to keep him firmly on their radar.