Chelsea present proposal to 16-year-old Brazilian star, club confident of sealing deal to sign player - Reports

Chelsea have reportedly sent out their proposal to sign Brazilian youngster Gabriel Mec from Brasileirao Serie A side Gremio this summer. The Blues are set to continue raiding South America for the finest talents, having employed this strategy since the arrival of the Clearlake Group in 2022.

Gremio U-20 star Gabriel Mec is turning heads in Brazil at just 16, and the Blues have reportedly had representatives in the country to see him in the past week. The teenager is an attacking midfielder by trade and has excellent technical skills, as well as vision and an ability to find the back of the net.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea are keen to wrap up the signing of the talented teenager and have laid out their project for him already. The journalist wrote on X that the Blues are concurrently holding talks with Mec's representatives and his club to decide on the details of the transfer. The midfielder is keen on moving to the Premier League side, and the club are confident of sealing a deal for him.

This summer, Chelsea have already made a significant investment in Brazilian youth football by signing Estevao Willian from Palmeiras. The Blues have previously signed the likes of Deivid Washington, Angelo Gabriel, and Andrey Santos from Brazilian clubs as well.

Mec is widely regarded as the finest talent to emerge from the Gremio academy since Ronaldinho. He will be encouraged by the number of Brazilians already at the club. The youngster has also been likened to Neymar for his expressive dribbling style and variety of skills and tricks.

Chelsea are clearly in the lead for the signing of Gabriel Mec, but may soon have competition from Manchester United and Aston Villa for the 16-year-old. The player will move to England once he turns 18 in 2026 if a deal is agreed for him.

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Chelsea star praises Enzo Maresca as pre-season continues

Chelsea ace Christopher Nkunku was full of praise for head coach Enzo Maresca as the team continues to prepare for the 2024-25 season. The France international faces another important pre-season, having missed a huge chunk of the 2023-24 season through injury. He made just 14 appearances across competitions last season.

Nkunku spoke with the club's media about his impression of the new head coach as he gears up towards his first season in charge of the club. The 26-year-old revealed that the squad is happy to train with the Italian coach and expects the team to perform well under him.

He said:

"The new head coach brings very good ideas to play. We are all happy to practice every training with him. Now it is just the beginning. We need to learn and to fix in every training the way he wants us to play.

We are on this way to learn. If everybody has the idea of the coach to play, we will produce good football this year."

Chelsea finished in sixth place in the Premier League last season and have made significant recruitments this summer. The Blues will be aiming for a return to the UEFA Champions League this season after two seasons out of the competition.