Gabriel Mec Gains Value, Earns Brazil U-20 Call-Up and Is Close to Renewing with Grêmio

Grêmio is preparing for player sales in the coming months as the club looks to stabilize its finances for 2026, and one of the main names on the market is teenage attacking midfielder Gabriel Mec. Club officials acknowledge that outgoing transfers are likely, and Mec is one of the two most valuable assets in the current squad, alongside Viery. The asking price for Mec is reported to be around 20 million euros, reflecting the strong interest he has generated inside and outside Brazil.

Mec has played a limited role in the first team despite being highly regarded as one of Grêmio’s top academy products. Since last year, he has appeared in 29 matches but has only logged 1,274 minutes, roughly the equivalent of 14 full games. In that stretch, he has recorded two goals and two assists, all under the current coaching staff led by Luís Castro. In the final stages of his time in the youth setup, Mec changed positions, moving away from a central playmaking role and becoming more of a winger.

The player continues to draw praise from the technical staff. Vitor Severino, assistant to Luís Castro, described Mec as an unusual talent because of his ability to play with his back to goal between the lines, turn quickly, and operate effectively on either side of the attack. Severino said the youngster has “elite potential” and could eventually reach the Brazilian national team, though he stressed that much will depend on Mec’s development, environment, and future club situation.

Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Rio Grande do Sul from the age of 10, Mec has long been a regular presence in Brazil’s youth national teams. He has also been called up for upcoming youth friendlies in Chile on June 6 and June 9, which would take place during Grêmio’s break and could give him time away from club duties. The club is still considering whether he should be granted a special rest period because of those international commitments.

Transfer market interest in Mec has increased significantly. According to Transfermarkt, he is currently the most valuable player in the under-19 category in Brazil’s Série A, with an estimated market value of 16 million euros. He is ranked ahead of other promising young players such as André, Kauã Prates, and Montoro. Scouts from clubs in England and Spain are monitoring him, while Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine made another attempt to sign him in the previous month. No formal offer has been made yet, but negotiations remain possible.

Grêmio president Odorico Roman has publicly confirmed the need to sell players in the next transfer window to bring in revenue. The club hopes to raise significant funds with one major sale, potentially from Mec or Viery, in order to keep its sporting and financial project on track. A transfer could take place during the World Cup break or soon after, and if that happens, Grêmio’s match against Corinthians could be one of Mec’s last appearances for the club. Meanwhile, the parties already have an agreement in place to renew his contract through 2031, with improved wages reflecting his growth in the senior team.