News that JJ Gabriel wants to depart Manchester United sent shockwaves through the Premier League, but one report is now claiming he has chosen a new club
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United enters the pitch prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden
JJ Gabriel recently told Manchester United he wants to leave(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel has reportedly decided he wants to move to Chelsea. The 15-year-old prodigy has formally requested to be de-registered by the Reds, which would essentially make him a free agent.
His demand blind-sided Michael Carrick's side, particularly after he was expected to be in the squad for United's 3-2 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the League Cup. Gabriel recently travelled to Barcelona, who outlined their vision for youngster.
Real Madrid have also been linked with Gabriel, who would be able to play in Spain despite being 15 due to the fact he has an Irish EU passport. If he was to stay in England, it's been claimed Chelsea are the club he would choose, although the Blues would have to wait until January 2027, due to the fact they were banned from registering new academy players for nine months in March.
TEAMtalk have stated that out of every English club to reach out to him, the Blues' pitch was the most attractive. Gabriel is yet to sign a scholarship agreement with United.
Young player are forbidden from signing a scholarship agreement until they turn 16 years old, which Gabriel will do on October 6. If he was to move to Spain, United would be due a small windfall.
This is due to rules allowing a 16-year-old with an EU passport to move to a team within the European Union. United would be entitled to a compensation payment, which is set by a tariff based on the number of years the player has spent at a club.
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden.
Gabriel is being eyed by many of Europe's top clubs(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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There have been examples of this happening in the past, when Arsenal signed Cesc Fabregas when he was a teenager as well as United bringing Gerard Pique to the club. However, it would be substantially less than the amount due if he joined an English club - a recent example of which was Rio Ngumoha's move from Chelsea to Liverpool, which cost a minimum of £2.8million.
Carrick has called for calm when asked about the situation around the prodigy, reminding the football world he is still only a child. The United manager said: "I think I’d just repeat what I said the other day, really.
"I think he’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t put anything out here. I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything that, you got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything.
JJ Gabriel
Gabriel was not included in any England youth squads for this international break(Image: Getty Images)
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"The situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out. Making sure he’s okay is the important thing.”
Gabriel was dropped by all of the England youth teams amid the transfer saga this week. He missed out on a place with the under-19s and under-17s for the coming international break.
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