Paul Merson has called for a change to the rule that allows JJ Gabriel to leave Manchester United for a club outside England at the age of 16. Real Madrid have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign the teenager, who remains a registered United player.
Move abroad made easier by EU passport
Moving to an overseas team as a European Union passport holder is more straightforward, provided FIFA approves it. United are entitled to training compensation after formally offering the youngster a scholarship earlier this year, though the fee is expected to be just £100,000-£300,000. The club is also considering legal action against any European club that signs Gabriel.
Gabriel signed for United aged 11 following previous spells in the youth systems of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham United. The Enfield-born teenager had earlier featured in London grassroots football with Top Ballerz alongside Mathis Eboue, son of Emmanuel, who currently plays for Chelsea.
Merson: "This rule's got to change"
Merson told Sky Sports News about Gabriel: "This kid's a good player, he's a very good player. He could be a superstar, top player; Man United will be gutted."
"This rule's got to change...that he's allowed to go abroad, and that needs to change. Man United have worked on this kid, made him the player he is."
"Obviously, he'd have been gifted at the same time, don't get me wrong, but this needs to be done. The thing is, he's going to Real Madrid. Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world; he's going to the biggest club in the world, the biggest club."
Previous cases cited
"There's not a player in the world who wouldn't go to Real Madrid. You ask any player who's playing in the Premier League: if Real Madrid comes for you, you rarely turn Real Madrid down," Merson added.
"Great opportunity for the kid, but I still think that rule might have to change; otherwise, this is not the first time it's going to happen. You've got to remember, look at Rio Ngumoha; he was at Chelsea two years ago, and he left Chelsea."
"So it happens. It'll happen all the time, but I think that rule's gotta change, in my opinion."
"Give these academies a chance where they're putting in a lot of hard work, just for someone to go: 'I'm leaving now'. I ain't sure if that's right, leaving by going abroad and playing when he's been there for a long time."
The player remains registered to United despite a formal notification submitted in September requesting its cancellation.
