JJ Gabriel, a 16-year-old forward registered to Manchester United, has not returned since September and is training alone in Spain. Real Madrid are confident of winning the race to sign him, ahead of interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain.
Gabriel featured in United's pre-season tour against Atletico Madrid and was expected to become the club's youngest debutant in the Carabao Cup against Brighton. However, he opted to seek senior football elsewhere. His European Union passport facilitates a move abroad, and United would receive compensation, reduced if he joins outside the Premier League.
The teenager scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut and was named the Premier League's Under-18 player of the season at age 14. A United source called him 'the best 15-year-old in Europe,' while Darren Fletcher said, 'The world is his oyster.' Michael Carrick stressed the importance of protecting young players' welfare, saying, 'We've got to be really careful of the whole situation.'
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing