Gabriel Mec transfer latest as Newcastle face Grêmio price rise amid PSG interest

Newcastle United remain in the mix for highly rated Gabriel Mec, but the Premier League side may now have to pay significantly more if they want to prise the teenager away from Grêmio this summer.

According to reports in Brazil, Grêmio are close to finalising a contract extension for the 18-year-old attacking midfielder, a move that would strengthen their negotiating position rather than remove him from the market entirely. ESPN Brasil’s update suggests the new deal would run until September 2031, extending his current agreement by four years.

That development matters because Newcastle have been one of the most persistent European clubs monitoring Mec’s progress as his role in Grêmio’s senior side continues to grow.

Grêmio’s strategy appears clear: protect the asset before serious bids arrive.

Mec’s current contract runs until 2027, and club officials were reportedly keen to avoid entering a weaker bargaining position as the player’s profile rises. Last year, Shakhtar Donetsk failed with an offer worth around €15m, while Chelsea FC were also heavily linked with a package that could have risen to €24m including bonuses.

That interest has only grown.

Grêmio vice-president Antônio Dutra Jr. recently acknowledged the club see Mec as a player capable of generating one of their biggest transfer fees in recent years — and the contract renewal strengthens that position further.

Newcastle’s recruitment model under Eddie Howe has increasingly focused on emerging talent with long-term upside, and Mec fits that profile.

The Brazilian has been gradually integrated into Grêmio’s first-team plans this season and is widely regarded as one of South America’s standout teenage prospects.

But Newcastle are no longer operating in a small field.

Paris Saint-Germain have now entered the race, while Villarreal CF, Sevilla FC, FC Porto and Shakhtar continue to track the situation.

That wider market could quickly push Grêmio’s asking price beyond the €20m mark.

Having tracked Newcastle’s transfer strategy closely over recent windows, this is exactly the type of deal that can escalate quickly once multiple elite clubs become involved.

Mec is still developing, but his technical quality and positional flexibility make him an attractive long-term investment.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions.

Newcastle’s level of commitment will likely depend on how aggressively PSG or Chelsea move once the summer market opens, and whether Grêmio are willing to sell immediately after securing a new contract.

The next major step will be the formal completion of Mec’s contract renewal at Grêmio. Once that is signed, interested clubs are expected to test the Brazilian side’s valuation with official approaches.

For Newcastle, the challenge will be deciding whether to move early and decisively or risk being dragged into a broader auction involving PSG and Chelsea. Much will depend on how quickly Europe’s biggest clubs formalise their interest.

Would Mec be worth Newcastle breaking beyond their usual development-player budget this summer?