Liverpool are now facing fresh competition in their pursuit of Gabriel Mec, with Benfica and Sporting entering advanced talks for the Grêmio teenager.
According to Brazilian outlet Portal do Gremista, Mec’s representatives have already met Benfica to open negotiations. In addition, a meeting with Sporting is scheduled this week. That signals concrete movement from Portugal at a time when Liverpool were preparing their own approach.
The Reds were expected to submit a bid in the region of €15m (£12.9m), but nothing happened yet. Grêmio view that figure positively, although they plan to negotiate and push the value higher.
Until now, Liverpool appeared to be the most serious European contender. That is no longer the case.
Portuguese clubs apply pressure
Last year, Grêmio accepted an offer from Shakhtar Donetsk worth close to €15m (£12.9m). The deal collapsed after Mec chose to remain in Brazil, citing timing and development concerns.
Chelsea have also monitored the player. However, Benfica and Sporting are now taking more direct steps.
For Liverpool, this creates a different dynamic. The Premier League club have tracked Mec for months and internally compared aspects of his game to Vinícius Júnior. Their recruitment team admire his pace, direct running and attacking instinct. Still, they know he remains in the early stages of his development.
Portuguese clubs can often integrate South American teenagers more smoothly. Mec does not turn 18 until April. Under FIFA regulations, he cannot move to England before that date. Therefore, Liverpool would need to structure a delayed transfer or include a loan arrangement.
Benfica and Sporting may be able to present a clearer pathway in the short term. That matters when dealing with a 17-year-old and his family.
Development strategy and parallel options
Behind the scenes, Grêmio have accelerated Mec’s preparation for senior football. According toanother local insider source, the club prioritised physical development once he joined the first-team group. He has gained around nine kilograms of muscle mass to better handle the physical demands of professional matches.
At the same time, coach Luis Castro has tested him in several roles. Mec has featured on the left wing, the right and centrally as a playmaker. Grêmio’s plan is to increase his minutes and boost his market value ahead of a major sale.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are not limiting their South American monitoring to a single profile. As already covered, the Reds are also trackingAllan from Palmeiras as an alternative option for the same position.
The Brazilian midfielder has attracted interest from England, with figures around €35m (£30.1m) discussed, structured with a guaranteed portion and performance-related bonuses.
That parallel interest does not weaken Liverpool’s appreciation of Mec. However, it shows the club are preparing different strategic routes depending on how negotiations evolve.
For Liverpool, what once looked like a controlled pursuit now involves direct European competition. If the Reds want to secure Mec before the market intensifies further, they may need to move sooner rather than later.