Newcastle continue to be linked with Gabriel Mec as the Grêmio teenager’s profile keeps growing across Europe following his increasing involvement in the Brazilian club’s first team.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has gradually become part of the senior rotation this season and is starting to generate more attention with each appearance.
Clubs from England, Portugal, Spain and now France are monitoring the situation closely as Grêmio prepare for another major transfer battle around one of their biggest talents.
Last year, Shakhtar Donetsk offered around €15m (£12.9m) for Mec, only for the move to collapse after resistance from both the player and Grêmio.
Chelsea also pushed strongly at one stage, with Brazilian reports previously mentioning a package that could have reached €24m (£20.6m) including bonuses.
That background is helping shape Grêmio’s current strategy.
Grêmio move to strengthen position
According to ESPN Brazil, the Brazilian side are now close to agreeing a contract renewal with Mec until September 2031.
His current deal runs until September 2027, and there had been growing concern internally about losing leverage as time passed. The renewal push appears designed to avoid exactly that scenario before the next transfer window opens.
Importantly, this does not signal that Grêmio want to take him off the market.
Instead, it increasingly looks like the club are trying to place themselves in a stronger negotiating position before serious offers arrive.
That also fits with the comments recently made by Grêmio vice-president Antônio Dutra Jr., who insisted there were no official bids yet but openly admitted the club see Mec as a player capable of generating “a very big value” in the future.
It is getting bigger.
Newcastle remain involved as PSG enter scene
Newcastle are once again among the clubs mentioned in connection with Mec.
The Magpies have been actively monitoring emerging South American talent and continue to appear prominently in Brazilian reporting around the player. Mec fits the type of high-upside signing Newcastle have explored in recent windows.
However, the race is becoming more crowded.
Villarreal, Sevilla, Porto and Shakhtar remain interested, but Paris Saint-Germain are now the newest heavyweight name to enter the picture.
PSG’s emergence is significant because it changes the market dynamic around Mec. Grêmio already valued him between €15m and €20m (£12.9m-£17.2m), but the growing level of competition suggests the Brazilian side believe they may be able to push even higher.
Bigger sale now the objective
Rather than rushing towards a sale because of contractual pressure, Grêmio now appear focused on creating a controlled bidding war.
With Newcastle, Chelsea and PSG all linked at different stages, the club increasingly seem to view Mec as a player capable of generating one of their biggest sales in recent years.
For Newcastle, that means the opportunity remains alive – but the price and competition are both moving upwards quickly.
