Real Madrid have emerged as a strong contender to sign Manchester United teenage forward JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old formally indicated his desire to leave the Premier League club.
Key Highlights
- Real Madrid have emerged as a strong contender to sign Manchester United teenage forward JJ Gabriel, who has reportedly requested to leave the club.
- The 15-year-old is attracting interest from Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
- Real Madrid reportedly want to sign Gabriel and place him with Real Madrid Castilla to gain experience in senior football.
- Gabriel is said to be frustrated with his development pathway at Manchester United and is currently not training with the club.
- Manchester United reportedly maintain that they want to retain the highly rated academy player and are uncertain about his reasons for seeking a departure.
Gabriel reportedly sent United notice earlier this week seeking to cancel his registration with immediate effect, although the club has the option to challenge the request.
The highly rated academy player has attracted interest from several major European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, but Real Madrid are understood to be particularly keen on securing his services.
Real reportedly want to sign Gabriel immediately and place him with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side that competes in Spain’s senior football system.
Castilla play in the regionalised third tier of Spanish football, giving young players the opportunity to gain experience in competitive senior matches.
Gabriel, who will turn 16 on October 6, is understood to have become frustrated over his development pathway at Manchester United, with sources close to the player claiming that assurances concerning his route towards the first team have not been fulfilled.
United, however, maintain that they have not abandoned efforts to retain the youngster and are understood to be uncertain about the exact reasons behind his desire to leave.
The club had reportedly anticipated that Gabriel could become its youngest senior player by featuring in Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash against Brighton, although United eventually lost the match 3-2 after initially taking a two-goal lead.
Gabriel is currently not training with the club.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has called for caution over the situation involving the teenage forward.
Carrick handed Gabriel his senior debut during United’s pre-season fixture against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm and, after the Brighton defeat, stressed the importance of protecting the youngster because of his age.
Sources close to Gabriel have reportedly rejected concerns surrounding his age and physical development, pointing to other teenagers who have been given opportunities at senior level.
Read also:
- Lamine Yamal Scores Twice As Barcelona Beat Levante 4-2
- Refereeing Body Admits VAR Error Of Judgement’ Over Haaland Goal In Manchester Derby
- Raheem Sterling Faces Possible Jail Term After Dangerous Driving Guilty Plea
One example is Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, who made his first-team debut at 15.
Any immediate departure from Old Trafford could be affected by regulations governing the registration and international transfer of young players.
Manchester United maintain that Gabriel’s registration runs until the end of the current season, meaning a move could become easier once the teenager turns 16.
However, because Gabriel holds an EU passport, he may be eligible to join a club within the European Union when he celebrates his 16th birthday.
The situation leaves the highly rated youngster’s future at Old Trafford uncertain, with several of Europe’s biggest clubs monitoring developments.
