“Very big value” – Club official responds as Newcastle United move for transfer

Newcastle United was the latest Premier League club to be publicly linked with wonderkid Gabriel Mec. Grêmio’s stance on the teenager has now been addressed directly by a senior figure at the Brazilian club.

The 18-year-old was one of the standout performers in Grêmio’s 3-0 win over Deportivo Riestra in the Copa Sudamericana. Mec registered an assist and played with the kind of confidence that continues to attract attention from Europe.

That performance only added to the growing noise around his future.

Chelsea also remain firmly in the race after previous talks and more recent enquiries for Mec. The Blues came close to striking a deal in the past and continue to be heavily linked from Brazil.

Brentford and Nottingham Forest have also appeared in the picture in recent months as Premier League interest around the teenager grows.

Liverpoolmeanwhile, were credited with strong interest earlier in the process and were even reported in Brazil to have internally compared Mec’s attacking style to Vinícius Júnior.

Grêmio deny formal bids for now

Following the match in Buenos Aires, Grêmio vice-president Antônio Dutra Jr. was asked directly about the player’s situation amid increasing transfer interest.

“There is currently no official proposal for Gabriel Mec,” he explained to Brazilian outlet Zero Hour. “He is a Grêmio player and we count on him. When proposals arrive, Grêmio will analyse them, both for Gabriel and for any other player.”

The comments are important because they slightly cool the idea that negotiations are already advanced behind the scenes. At the same time, they do not shut the door at all.

In fact, Dutra’s wording strongly suggested Grêmio are preparing for that moment eventually arriving.

Newcastle latest club in picture

As we recently coveredNewcastle is among the clubs most heavily linked with the attacking midfielder.

The Magpies have been increasingly active in South America and are continuing to monitor emerging attacking talent from the region.

Mec fits the profile of a high-upside signing with room for development, especially after his recent rise in first-team involvement at Grêmio.

Also, he recently turned 18, removing the final restriction for a move to Europe. At the same time, Grêmio are dealing with pressure around his long-term contract situation and growing expectations of a major future sale.

“A very big value”

Dutra also made clear Grêmio expect major money if Mec eventually leaves.

“I think he is a player who will have a very big value,” the vice-president said. “He is a player who is only just starting his career and has enormous potential. I am certain he will have a brilliant career.”

Those comments align with the market picture already forming around the player.

Grêmio have previously been linked with valuations between €15m (£12.9m) and €20m (£17.2m), while Chelsea have been mentioned in reports involving figures as high as €24m (£20.6m).

There may not be formal bids yet, but Grêmio already see Mec as a player capable of generating a major transfer in the near future.