Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs monitoring JJ Gabriel‘s stand-off with Manchester United, sources have told ESPN.
The 15-year-old and his representatives have stunned Old Trafford bosses by demanding to leave. United, according to sources, will not cancel his contract and he cannot be de-registered.
But Gabriel’s stance has opened the door to a departure next summer. He’s eligible to sign scholarship forms after his 16th birthday, which is on Oct. 6.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been alerted to the situation. Gabriel can move to a European side because he has an Irish passport.
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Real Madrid’s plan would be to play him in their B-team.
Sources have told ESPN that Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea are also closely watching developments.
However, one source close to a prominent English club said there’s a feeling within the game that Gabriel will eventually agree a way back in at United.
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United bosses are hopeful that the situation can still be rectified and insist they do not know the exact reasons behind his desire to leave.
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Gabriel was in line to be part of Michael Carrick’s squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday. Had he featured, he would have become United’s youngest ever player.
However, the highly-rated teenager is now set to be left out after missing training this week.
