Chelsea have re-entered the picture for Gabriel Mec, with fresh contact made as the race for the Grêmio teenager intensifies ahead of the summer window.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has been gaining ground in the first team this season. He already has 11 appearances under manager Luis Castro, with minutes spread across different roles in attack.
That gradual integration has been part of a clear plan from Grêmio to increase his exposure and market value before a likely sale.
His performances have not been linear, which is expected at this stage. However, the growing involvement has been enough to keep European clubs actively engaged in his situation.
From near deal to renewed Chelsea interest
Gabriel Mec’s market story is not new. Earlier in his development, Grêmio accepted an offer from Shakhtar Donetsk worth around €15m (£12.9m). The deal collapsed after the player chose to stay in Brazil, prioritising his development and timing.
Chelsea, meanwhile, went even further. The London club had previously reached an agreement with Grêmio in a deal that could rise to €24m (£20.6m). However, the move stalled late on.
The player himself confirmed both negotiations.
Reports from Brazil indicated internal doubts at Chelsea after further scouting, leading them to step back from completing the transfer. Despite that, interest never fully disappeared.
Now according to RTI Esporte, Chelsea have now made fresh contact to gather information on Mec’s situation. That places them back in the frame at a moment when the player is closer than ever to leaving Brazil.
Sporting lead, competition builds
While Chelsea have reactivated their interest, Sporting are currently seen as the club most likely to make a concrete move.
The Portuguese side are studying the financial details and could advance in the coming weeks. Benfica and Porto have also been involved in discussions, reinforcing Portugal as a strong destination pathway.
At the same time, previous interest from Liverpool remains part of the background. The Premier League side have tracked Mec for months and were expected to move around the €15m (£12.9m) mark.
More recently, Nottingham Forest and Brentford have also made enquiries, expanding the English presence in the race.
This is no longer a limited market. Mec is now at the centre of a multi-club battle across different leagues.
Grêmio stance and price defined
Gabriel Mec is now viewed internally as Grêmio’s priority sale. The Brazilian club are open to negotiating in the next window, especially given their financial context. However, they have set a clear condition: no deal below €20m (£17.2m).
That represents a significant increase from the previously accepted Shakhtar offer and reflects both growing interest and the player’s rising profile.
Mec is under contract until August 2027, which gives Grêmio control over negotiations. At the same time, his 18th birthday on April 11 removes the final barrier for a move to Europe.
The club would prefer to keep him until the end of the year. Still, they are prepared to sell if the right proposal arrives.
For Chelsea, this creates a competitive scenario. They have already been close once. Now, with the price rising and multiple clubs positioning themselves, any renewed move will require stronger conviction.
The next step will depend on whether the Blues decide to turn fresh contact into a concrete offer – or risk seeing the opportunity slip away again.