Chelsea have reportedly scheduled a medical for Brazilian teenage sensation Gabriel Mec after striking an agreement to sign the player from Gremio. The Blues are believed to be preparing to stump up £20.5million to secure the services of the 16-year-old but will have to wait until April 2026 to welcome him to Stamford Bridge due to his age.
Chelsea have been prolific in the transfer market since Todd Boehly bought the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
And they have already secured deals for eight players this summer, with seven of those moving to the capital straight away.
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According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Mec will undergo a medical in his homeland in the next few days, before putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
The teenager, who plays as an attacking midfielder, is yet to make a senior appearance for his current club but will be able to press his claims for a starting place in the months to come before making the move to England when he turns 18.
Gremio had intended to insert a £136.8m release clause into the player’s contract as they were concerned about losing him for free. But the club have agreed an image licensing and exploitation deal instead.
Chelsea completed the £50m signing of Estevao Willian from Palmeiras earlier this summer, with Kendry Paez also set to join the club in a £17m deal from Independiente del Valle after that transfer was confirmed last year. Both players will move to England next summer.
And Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca already appears to be over the moon with the squad he has inherited at Stamford Bridge after agreeing to succeed Mauricio Pochettino in the Stamford Bridge dugout earlier this summer.
“I’m very excited. One of the reasons I’m here is because I’m convinced the squad is very good and full of talent. The most important thing now is we’re able to create the right culture that drives us for the season,” the Italian said after joining the club from Leicester.
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“I always say the same, if you are able to improve players then you are able to improve the team. So it’s our target to try to improve all of them day by day.
“In this moment, when you join a club you try to analyse what the club and team needs to improve and do the right things.
“For me, it’s clear we need to create as soon as possible the right mentality and culture, a culture that the fans can be proud of. This is very important.”
