Manchester United U21 v Leicester City U21: U21 Premier League
LEIGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: JJ Gabriel of Manchester United U21 in action during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United U21 and Leicester City U21 at Leigh Sports Village on August 31, 2026 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has travelled to Barcelona after shocking Manchester United this week by asking to leave the Premier League club.
According to BBC Sport, Gabriel left the UK on Thursday and travelled to France initially before moving on to Barcelona.
Hansi Flick’s side are said to be in pole position to land the teenager, although other reports have claimed Real Madrid are leading the race for the forward.
Gabriel is seeking a new club after telling United he wants his registration cancelled. Manager Michael Carrick addressed the situation in midweek after seeing his team beaten 3-2 by Brighton in the EFL Cup.
“He’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important we don’t play anything out here,” he said.
“With the exposure and scrutiny and everything, you got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything. The situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out. Making sure he’s OK is the important thing.”
Barcelona, Madrid and Bayern Munich have all been linked with Gabriel in the last few days. The teenager is believed to hold an Irish passport and could therefore move to a club in the EU when he turns 16 next month.
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