JJ Gabriel edging closer to Manchester United exit amid Barcelona talks about a potential move for the forward | Football News
Barcelona and Real Madrid are in transfer talks to sign Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel.
The 15-year-old and his family are currently in Barcelona, where discussions with the Catalan club and their LaLiga rivals are advancing.
PSG and Bayern Munich also remain interested in his signature.
Gabriel and his team lodged a request earlier this week to leave United.
The club’s leadership have been hopeful they can persuade the young star to stay at the club as he is contracted until the end of the season, but it now looks increasingly likely he will move away from Old Trafford.
Gabriel and his family put in a formal request to be de-registered after the UEFA Youth League tie against Sabah last Thursday – a game United won 5-0 with Gabriel scoring a hat-trick.
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Dan Khan updates Sky Sports on Gabriel’s decision to leave Manchester United
Gabriel, who was not named in any of England’s youth squads announced on Friday despite representing England most recently at U17 level, has not trained with United since then.
There is a belief – owing to a precedent due to a FIFA loophole – that Gabriel could leave United for a club in Europe once he turns 16 [on October 6] if he obtains a European passport that he could get through either of his parents.
Manchester United celebrate Gabriel’s opener in the FA Youth Cup semi-final
However, any move for Gabriel would be subject to FIFA approval.
United head coach Michael Carrick was asked about Gabriel on Friday and reiterated his view that the matter needed to be handled carefully.
“I think he’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t play anything out here,” he said.
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Michael Carrick has urged care in the handling of Gabriel, after the 15-year-old requested to leave the club
“I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything, so the situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out. Making sure he’s okay is the important thing.”
Merson: Massive blow if Gabriel leaves
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:
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Sky Sports’ Paul Merson says teenage sensations Max Dowman and Gabriel need to be patient as they look to build their careers
“First of all, he’s an unbelievable talent. The problem now is with the lad and probably his agents and his family – I don’t know him so I’m only thinking from the outside.
“When you’re watching Max Dowman at Arsenal and Rio Ngumoha getting given a chance at Liverpool and doing very well, he’s probably thinking, ‘I should be playing at Man Utd now as well’.
“This is the problem you’re going to have with the kids of this day and age. They’re so talented that they want to play straight away. When I was playing, it was unheard of at 16.
“It’ll be a massive blow for Man Utd. Believe me, this kid is an unbelievable talent. They’ll have every club in the world wanting him.”
