Arsenal are keen to sign Brazilian teenager Gabriel Mec.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Arsenal have made contact with Gremio over the prospect of signing 15-year-old starlet Gabriel Mec.
The Gunners are said to be one of a number of European clubs to hold an interest in the youngster, with French giants PSG also having made an enquiry as to his availability.
However, Gremio are determined to hang on to Mec as long as they can. The Brazilian club realise that they have a huge talent on their hands, but aren’t able to sign him up to full professional terms until he turns sixteen.
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As such, they have taken measures to ensure he remains at the club until at least that time by signing an image licensing deal with Mec to establish a professional relationship with the player. Santos used a similar tactic to retain the services of a young Neymar for as long as they could.
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This move may well not put off Arsenal in their pursuit of Mec. The Gunners have made great use of the Brazilian market in recent years, most notably when Gabriel Martinelli was lured to the Emirates Stadium from Ituano for just £6 million in 2019.
If Arsenal can repeat the success they had with Martinelli in a deal for Mec then that would be brilliant business.
Arsenal sporting director Edu, who amassed 15 caps for Brazil in his playing days and previously served as general coordinator of the national team, knows this market well. He ought to be able to use his contacts and connections in the Brazilian game to ensure that Arsenal are well positioned to secure Mec’s services when the time comes.
Even if the Gunners do get a deal for Mec over the line in the near future, he will still be a long way from featuring in Mikel Arteta’s first team. Martinelli and Marquinhos were both teenagers when they arrived in north London, but were significantly older than Mec is now.
In any case, given the potential of the young midfielder, this could be an exciting transfer for the future of Arsenal if it comes off.