Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has reportedly agreed to leave the club and join Real Madrid, according to reports. The 16-year-old stunned United in September when he requested his registration to be cancelled, which would effectively make him a free agent.
Gabriel refused to train with the first team when he was set to make his senior debut against Brighton and Hove Albion in the League Cup. After United rejected his request, he has not appeared in a United shirt since, nor has he trained at Carrington.
Real Madrid Win the Race for Gabriel
Plenty of clubs in Europe were interested in signing him. He was flown out to Barcelona, while other European giants like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were also in the mix. However, it is understood Real Madrid are set to win the race for his signature, with an agreement reportedly in place, pipping the likes of Barcelona, PSG and Bayern to his signature.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed Gabriel's representatives have formally informed all interested clubs he will be moving to Real Madrid. If a deal is to be completed, it could be wrapped up as early as January, according to Sky Sports.
United Caught by Surprise
However, the MEN understands United have been caught by surprise by recent reports claiming a deal is on the verge of being completed. Sources close to the club have insisted no direct contact between United and Real has been made. It is believed the transfer is at an advanced stage, albeit it will also need to meet FIFA's ultra-strict regulations around transfer deals concerning minors.
Gabriel has been training in Spain for the last six weeks, having not played for United's Under-19s side since scoring a hat-trick against Sabah in September. United will only receive a minimal compensation fee of around £300,000 if Gabriel secures a move to Madrid, while the forward is expected to sign a deal worth £8.5million.
Contract Details and Passport Advantage
Jose Mourinho's side are the only club willing to meet this figure and secure the teen star on a three-year contract, according to Sky Deutschland, with Barcelona's pitch allegedly falling short of the demands. It is also understood Gabriel turned down PSG so he could pursue playing in Spain.
BBC Sport has also claimed Gabriel has secured a European Union passport, which will help him secure a move outside the UK. He qualifies for a Cypriot and Irish passport, through his mother and paternal grandmother.
United had offered him a scholarship several months before, which would have then become a professional contract when he turns 17 in October 2027. Instead, he looks certain to leave the red side of Manchester, having been at the club since the age of 11.
