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With INEOS now onboard, Manchester United are expected to not only strengthen the first team but a lot of focus will also be placed on academy recruitment.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed in the past that he wants the club to try and sign young gems instead of overpaying for big-name stars, as was the norm under the Glazers.
The Red Devils have already wrapped up deals for Chido Obi-Martin and Samuel Lusale and now as per UOL journalist
Bruno Andrade, the English giants are also keeping a close eye on Gabriel Mec.
The Gremio academy talent, who is only 16, is considered to be the best talent to come through the club’s academy since Ronaldinho, very high praise indeed.
Mec remains in high demand
He is yet to make his senior team debut but has already played for the club’s U20 side, scoring once and has attracted plenty of interest from all across Europe.
As recently reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are frontrunners and are in talks with the Brazilian outfit with the attacking midfielder keen on the move.
Gabriel Mec: representantes do Chelsea estão no Brasil para avançar na negociação com o Grêmio. Ingleses oferecem 7 M€ fixos + 7 M€ variáveis, mas gaúchos querem que o fixo seja de 10 M€. Manchester United e Borussia Dortmund também estão de olho – apuração com @felipee_sil pic.twitter.com/PueqWxvU6e
— Bruno Andrade (@brunoandrd) August 1, 2024
However, Gremio’s demands are yet to be met by the Blues and the 20-time English league champions and Borussia Dortmund are waiting to pounce should an agreement not be reached.
“Gabriel Mec: Chelsea representatives are in Brazil to advance negotiations with Grêmio. The English offer €7M fixed + €7M variables, but Gauchos want the fixed amount to be €10M.
Chelsea vs United for Mec
“Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are also keeping an eye,” Andrade wrote on X (formerly Twitter). As things stand, the Blues remain in the lead.
The Brazilian gem’s speed, dribbling and trickery have seen him earn comparisons with Neymar and it will be interesting to follow the trajectory of the youngster’s career.
Chelsea are building a vast arsenal of young South American talents and it is imperative that the three-time Champions League winners do not give up without a fight.
However, it has been refreshing to see United showing eagerness to try and unearth gems from South America, a market that they have ignored for far too long.
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