Chelsea closing in on signing likened to Ronaldinho, selling club demanding £20 million

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Chelsea are closing in on yet another promising signing this summer as the Blues continue their rebuild.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have been one of the more busier sides in the summer transfer window with the Italian manager taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

Chelsea have signed Leicester City’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as well as Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo on a free but the Blues have totalled seven additions with Willian Estevao set to join next summer.

HITC understands that they are fast closing in on signing number eight with Brazilian teenager Gabriel Mec on the verge of completing his move to Stamford Bridge.

Gabriel Mec closing in on Chelsea move

Chelsea are hugely active in South America and have already sealed deals for a host of talent in the last 12 months and 16-year-old Mec is set to be their latest addition.

With the Brazilian just 16 years of age, if Chelsea do complete the deal, as expected, then Mec would not be able to move to Stamford Bridge until he is 18 years of age, similar to Estevao.

HITC revealed Chelsea’s interest in Mec last month and now talks have progressed and they have finalised terms on an initial three-year deal with another two-year option.

Mec had interest from a host of clubs also including Manchester United and Aston Villa, but Chelsea have persuaded him his future is best served with them and once finalised, he will be available to join in 2026 when he turns 18.

Chelsea continuing talks to get Mec deal done

Sources have told HITC that Chelsea are continuing talks with Gremio to try and get the deal over the line for Mec to move to Stamford Bridge.

Gremio are understood to have been demanding in excess of £20 million for the Brazilian but that is a figure that Chelsea, as of yet, have not been willing to meet.

However, despite this, there is understood to be confidence on both sides that a deal for the teenager will get done sooner rather than later.

Playing for Gremio means that comparisons to Ronaldinho aren’t too far away from the teenager but this would certainly be an exciting signing if the Blues can get it over the line.