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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Chelsea sign Gremio's Gabriel Mec</li><li>16-year-old Brazilian follows Estevao Willian</li><li>Costs the Blues €24m</li></ul>

Chelsea land ANOTHER Brazilian starlet! Gabriel Mec follows Estevao Willian in signing pre-agreement as Blues strike £20.5m deal with Gremio

Not content with the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-gbp56m-estevao-willian-deal-palmeiras/blt57be01458e565c74" target="_blank">£56m ($71.5m) signing of Palmeiras' Estevao Willian</a>, the west London club have splashed a further £17m ($22m) on his compatriot, a young attacking midfielder who is yet to make a professional appearance in <a href="https://ge.globo.com/rs/futebol/times/gremio/noticia/2024/08/04/gremio-acerta-venda-de-joia-de-16-anos-para-o-chelsea-veja-valores.ghtml?UTM_MEDIUM=share-mc-app&amp;UTM_SOURCE=app" target="_blank">Gremio's Mec,</a> according to <a href="https://ge.globo.com/rs/futebol/times/gremio/noticia/2024/08/04/gremio-acerta-venda-de-joia-de-16-anos-para-o-chelsea-veja-valores.ghtml?UTM_MEDIUM=share-mc-app&amp;UTM_SOURCE=app" target="_blank">Globo</a>. That fee could rise to £20.5m with add-ons. The Under-20 international player is set to remain in Brazil until he turns 18 in 2026, at which point he'll depart for London.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mec is the latest young talent to join Chelsea <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-change-transfer-strategy/blt4d06602720581c39" target="_blank">as they look to build for the future and invest in players they expect to grow and develop significantly in the coming years</a>. The price tag they've slapped on this youth player is an indication that they've got high expectations, and the club hierarchy will be keeping a keen eye on his movements as he looks to break into the Gremio first team before the Chelsea move in April 2026.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

As Chelsea continue splashing cash on youngsters, they look set to lose one of their more experienced midfielders, England international Conor Gallagher. According to reports, the 24-year-old is set to travel to Spain to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sg/lists/chelsea-transfer-bombshell-conor-gallagher-travel-madrid-join-atletico-blues-fail-to-break-contract-deadlock/blte47749bfeb07e47a" target="_blank">complete a transfer to Atletico Madrid.</a>

DID YOU KNOW?

Future-oriented signings like this will not sort out the immediate situation at Chelsea, which is uncertain to say the least. The club have had a disappointing pre-season, with new boss <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enzo-maresca-erling-haaland-winners-loser-man-city-chelsea-friendly/bltcdc78de86d2c6fa6" target="_blank">Enzo Maresca struggling to implement his playing style</a> so far. They have two more friendlies to play, against Real Madrid and Inter, before their 2024-25 campaign kicks off with a tricky fixture against Manchester City.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? 

Chelsea land ANOTHER Brazilian starlet! Gabriel Mec follows Estevao Willian in signing pre-agreement as Blues strike £20.5m deal with Gremio | Goal.com

Teenage Brazilian starlet Gabriel Mec has secured a big-money move to Chelsea, with the Blues set to pay up to £20.5 million ($26m).