JJ Gabriel is to join Real Madrid next month after informing Manchester United of his desire to leave, a source has told 101 Great Goals.
News emerged on Tuesday of the 15-year-old’s decision to request his contract at Old Trafford is cancelled with immediate effect. It is believed he has opted to leave United after having his head turned by an approach from Madrid.
The Premier League club are not obliged to accept the request – indeed, they have to sanction his departure in order for the move to proceed.
But United’s hands are tied to a certain extent. They cannot sign Gabriel on professional terms until he is 17 years of age and cannot even tie him down on a scholarship until he is 16. HIs 16th birthday is on October 6.
That has opened the door for Madrid to make their move and exploit a loophole that means they can sign players between 16 and 18 from a fellow European Union country. Gabriel holds an Irish passport, making him eligible.
The shock development will come as a huge blow to United, who saw Gabriel as the crown jewel in their youth set-up. The supremely gifted attacker, who can play across the front three, made his first appearance for the Under-18 side aged 14 and went on to score more than 20 goals last season.
He had been expected to make his first-team debut this season and was thought to be in contention to play in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup third-round tie against Brighton.
However, with talks with Madrid accelerating over the past week, that is not now a possibility.
Instead, London-born Gabriel, whose full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, will move to Spain and further his development at Madrid’s training complex Valdebebas.
Manchester United fail to follow Arsenal’s lead
It is not known what has prompted Gabriel’s desire to pursue a deal with Madrid but a lack of clarity around his prospects at United may be one possible reason.
Gabriel has trained with the senior squad and the Under-21s at various points this season but was not included in the club’s A list for the Champions League, denying him the chance to make an appearance in European competition.
Gabriel was therefore ineligible to play against Azerbaijani minnows Sabah last week. Instead he played against the same club in the UEFA Youth League, scoring a brilliant hat-trick in a one-sided win.
He deleted all mentions of United on his social media accounts after that game.
United’s treatment of Gabriel is in stark contrast to how Arsenal have looked after Max Dowman.
Dowman was 15 when he played for Arsenal in their 3-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague last season. The winger has also played Premier League football and made significant contributions at various points last season as the Gunners secured the title.
Giggs hails Gabriel as a ‘generational talent’
Gabriel’s reputation has spiralled after he joined United as an 11-year-old.
Ryan Giggs, who went from precocious teenager to 13-time Premier League winner under Sir Alex Ferguson, spoke about the attacker in glowing terms in a podcast with Rio Ferdinand last week.
Giggs said: “He’s sort of a generational talent. There’s no point in going out on loan because he’s at the best place and he’d be dipping in and out of the first team. So that experience is invaluable. You know, not only the games and the training, but actually travelling with the team, seeing the expectation of Manchester United, you’re seeing all sort of, the focus is so huge on United. You need to get used to that.”
Manchester City tried to lure Gabriel across town last summer but the player opted to remain at United. But the appeal of Madrid has prompted a change of heart.
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