Barcelona have intensified their long-standing interest in Manchester United's prized wonderkid JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old scored 10 goals in 10 games this season for the Under-18s
18:28, 03 Dec 2025
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: JJ Gabriel of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Liverpool FC Academy on November 29, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Barcelona are interested in signing Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel(Image: Poppy Townson - MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United remain confident they can retain wonderkid JJ Gabriel despite Barcelona intensifying their pursuit of the academy sensation.
The 15-year-old and his family have been welcomed as guests at the Nou Camp on at least one recent occasion and were shown around the facilities as the Catalan giants attempt to entice the United youngster.
Their pursuit of Gabriel is nothing new. Gabriel has encountered Barcelona players during his trips to the Spanish city, and it's been made abundantly clear that the club would love to bring him to their legendary La Masia academy at some stage.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: JJ Gabriel of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams third goal during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Liverpool FC Academy on November 29, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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JJ Gabriel added to his goal tally as Manchester United 18s beat Liverpool 7-0(Image: Poppy Townson - MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
The England Under-16 international has long been regarded as one of the finest talents to come through the United academy in recent years, but his prolific scoring record for the Under-18s has thrust him into the spotlight this campaign.
He netted a hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool Under-18s at the weekend and has now found the net 10 times in as many matches this season.
Gabriel has already trained alongside the first-team, and Ruben Amorim has been asked about his involvement in senior training sessions.
"Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media," he said. "You could see the U21s had a game and we had less players and tried to pick players for training that have talent."
"Not just for me to see for tomorrow but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace.
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"If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone."
Barcelona's interest in Gabriel has been ongoing for at least two years and they remain eager to secure his signature. The fact that Gabriel holds an EU passport through his father's Irish roots will make a potential move to Europe easier.
However, United are resolute in their determination to retain Gabriel. Jason Wilcox, the club's Director of Football, played a pivotal role during the summer of 2025 in illustrating a clear career path at the club for the forward and his family, and Amorim has shown interest in his progress.