Man Utd Wonderkid JJ Gabriel Set To Confirm Real Madrid Move

Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel is closing in on a move to Real Madrid, GIVEMESPORT understands.

There has been much speculation surrounding the 16-year-old’s future, after he made it clear to United chiefs that he wanted to have his registration terminated in order to be able to leave Old Trafford.

Things came to a head in September when it was revealed that the hugely talented forward, who had been expected to be named in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, wanted to leave the Red Devils.

Under the rules for under-18 transfers, a player of his age would normally be unable to leave the club until he is 18. However, it emerged that Gabriel has an Irish and Cypriot passport, allowing him to move to Europe upon turning 16 on October 6.

Some of the biggest clubs in Europe were linked with a move for the teenager, with Rel madrid and Barcelona immediately moving to the front of the queue to sign him.

And it looks as if Los Blancos have won the race for his signature.

GMS senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed in his exclusive newsletter that a deal was close.

Man Utd will be due compensation from JJ Gabriel deal

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

He said: “My information is that JJ Gabriel is close to joining Real Madrid.

“There’s still some formal steps that need to take place, but JJ Gabriel visited the club for the first time quite a while ago now, and the pathway was essentially outlined as Real believe in him as one of the elite talents in world football in his age bracket, and Castilla will allow JJ Gabriel a fair amount of competitive action.

“Barcelona have been credited with an interest, but Barcelona sporting director Deco told me several weeks ago at the Portugal Football Summit that they were not currently working on a deal.

“PSG have made a pitch, so have Bayern Munich, but JJ Gabriel has been training in Madrid, and the expectation is that he is now close to joining Jose Mourinho’s side.

“Manchester United’s perspective is that they haven’t had any contact yet or formal communication with the camp of JJ Gabriel or Real Madrid.

“They will be entitled to some compensation, and it’s also worth noting that as long as JJ Gabriel is registered at Manchester United, they will explore their legal options if a club comes in and says they have agreed a deal with the player, but there’s a catch that works against Manchester United, and that is if JJ Gabriel and his family show a relocation to an EU country, the player has an EU passport, and there is a business with non-footballing income unrelated to the transfer and the player, then JJ Gabriel will have dispensation to cancel his registration.

“Manchester United will be entitled to compensation, or there is a chance to protect the club-to-club relationship that Real Madrid decide to negotiate with Manchester United and make it more amicable, and then that could allow Manchester United to make more money, but it looks like JJ Gabriel is going to leave Old Trafford and Real Madrid are now close to securing his signature.”

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