Real Madrid have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign 16-year-old Manchester United prospect JJ Gabriel, with the Spanish giants targeting a move for the teenager in January.
Gabriel remains registered with Manchester United’s academy until the end of the season but has not returned to the club since walking out in September amid uncertainty over his future.
The highly rated forward, who featured against Atlético Madrid during United’s pre-season tour, had been expected to become the club’s youngest-ever debutant in September’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.
However, he has opted to explore opportunities elsewhere for senior football and has reportedly been training on his own in Spain.
Gabriel’s representatives requested his departure from United in September and sought to have him deregistered immediately to enable him to become a free agent.
The teenager, who qualifies for a European Union passport through his parents, has secured the document, potentially making it easier for him to join a club outside England.
FIFA regulations provide certain exceptions that allow European clubs to sign young players from other countries, although the applicable rules depend on the player’s age, nationality and the circumstances of the transfer.
Manchester United would be entitled to compensation if Gabriel leaves, although the amount could be lower if he joins a club outside the Premier League.
Gabriel has attracted considerable attention following his performances at the youth level. He scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut and was named Premier League Under-18 Player of the Season last term, despite being only 14 during the campaign.
A Manchester United source described him as “the best 15-year-old in Europe” earlier this year, while former interim manager Darren Fletcher said: “The world is his oyster.”
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