Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Manchester United’s 15-year-old JJ Gabriel after the teenager told the Premier League club he wants to cancel his registration.
Gabriel’s reputation has grown through his academy performances, and his situation has drawn interest from across Europe. Barcelona have been keen to acquire him, while Bayern München are known to admire the winger. He is understood to prefer a move to Europe and holds an Irish EU passport through his father.
United were surprised by his decision to ask to leave, although some at the club had felt he might not sign a professional contract with other clubs circling. The club nevertheless still believe they may be able to rectify the matter, having developed him since he joined at the age of 11. Gabriel would be eligible to sign as a scholar when he turns 16 next month, and as a professional a year later.
Should he move to Real Madrid, the appeal would include the prospect of accelerated progression towards senior football with the club’s B team, Castilla, who play in the regionalised Spanish third tier.
Had Gabriel not informed United of his desire to leave, he would have been called up by Michael Carrick for the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday. Had he played in that match, he would have become the youngest player in the club’s history. United lost the tie 3-2.
Asked about the youngster after that defeat, Carrick struck a careful note. “I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation,” he said. “He’s a young boy. He’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players – their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure – we’ve got to be really conscious of that in this situation.”
Gabriel has been around the first team recently, training regularly with the senior squad, and he featured in a pre-season friendly against Atlético Madrid in Stockholm.