Manchester United young attacking midfielder JJ Gabriel is moving closer to joining Real Madrid, according to TEAMtalk. The 16-year-old has been absent since requesting to leave in September, with attempts to keep him at Old Trafford having failed. A move to Spain has long been seen as the most attractive option, alongside Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are all considering a move for USMNT right-back Alex Freeman, per Football Insider. The 22-year-old impressed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup under Mauricio Pochettino. Tottenham are targeting a right-back due to uncertainty surrounding Pedro Porro's future.
Alejandro Balde has accepted he will need to leave Barcelona for more game time, with Manchester United and other English clubs interested. Real Madrid view Como centre-back Jacobo Ramón as a potential replacement for Antonio Rüdiger, though a final decision is pending until the spring. Additionally, Monaco striker Folarin Balogun is available, with Juventus and several Premier League clubs monitoring the situation.
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta also remains on Manchester United's radar ahead of the January transfer window.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing