JJ Gabriel and his family are in Barcelona for talks about a potential move to the Catalan club. The 15-year-old is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, as well as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, after he and his team put in a formal request to leave United.

Despite the leadership at United being hopeful they can persuade the young star to stay at the club as he is contracted until the end of the season, it looks more and more likely Gabriel is edging closer to a move away from Old Trafford.

Gabriel and his family put in a formal request to be de-registered after the UEFA Youth League tie against Sabah last Thursday - a game United won 5-0 with Gabriel scoring a hat-trick. Gabriel, who was not named in any of England's youth squads announced on Friday despite representing England most recently at U17 level, has not trained with United since then.

There is a belief - owing to a precedent due to a FIFA loophole - that Gabriel could leave United for a club in Europe once he turns 16 [on October 6] if he obtains a European passport that he could get through either of his parents. However, any move for Gabriel would be subject to FIFA approval.

United head coach Michael Carrick was asked about Gabriel on Friday and reiterated his view that the matter needed to be handled carefully.