Manchester United academy winger Noah Ajayi has signed his first professional contract with the club, while Barcelona sporting director Deco has dismissed speculation linking the Catalan side with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
United are currently on an extended international break, with 11 senior players away on duty. The team sit 12th in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw against Fulham, and will not play again for another two weeks.
Ajayi commits future to United
The 17-year-old Ajayi, who was born in Hamburg and represents Germany at youth level, has signed a long-term professional deal. He has been a regular for United's Under-18s, alongside Gabriel, and impressed over the past two seasons.
United issued a statement confirming the contract, which read: "Exciting youngster Noah Ajayi has committed his future to Manchester United. The 17-year-old winger has signed a long-term professional contract.
"Ajayi was a stand-out for Darren Fletcher's Under-18s side last season, making important contributions to help the young Reds reach the FA Youth Cup final. Everyone at Manchester United is delighted that Noah has signed a new deal and looks forward to seeing him progress."
Barcelona deny Gabriel interest
Gabriel requested that his United registration be terminated last week. As he is too young to sign a scholarship or professional contract, this was the only way he could become a free agent and move to another club. United rejected the request, but cannot stop Gabriel from leaving once he turns 16 on October 6. Given his Irish and Cypriot roots, he qualifies for an EU passport and could move to a continental European club from that date.
Barcelona were among the clubs rumoured to be interested, with reports suggesting Gabriel and his camp flew in for talks. However, sporting director Deco has denied any involvement.
"There's nothing to say about this boy," Deco said at the Portugal Football Summit. "It's normal that players are linked with us. It always happens. There's a huge market for that with a lot of interests involved, even when [players] are young.
"But we are not interested in any player in his situation. I'm not sure what's happening, and if he's still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that.
"First of all, we need to understand how the situation is before we try to do something. To speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business."
