Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign Manchester United teenage star JJ Gabriel after his sensational start to the season, according to The Sun.
The 15-year-old forward has become one of the most talked-about prospects in United’s academy after scoring ten goals in ten games for the Under-18s. His stunning form has attracted interest from across Europe, but The Sun report that Barcelona are now making a serious push to lure him away to their famed La Masia academy.
Despite that outside interest, Manchester United remain confident in their ability to keep hold of the youngster after senior club figures became directly involved in outlining his development pathway. With elite European clubs increasingly targeting England’s brightest teenage talents at younger ages than ever before, Gabriel’s situation is shaping up to be an early test of United’s long-term academy strategy.
Barcelona pushing to lure Gabriel away from Old Trafford
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick watching Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves
LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Deportivo Alaves - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - November 29, 2025 FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick looks on as Lamine Yamal holds the ball REUTERS/Albert Gea
Barcelona are attempting to prise JJ Gabriel away from Manchester United, according to The Sun, after his sensational start to the youth campaign has sparked major interest from Europe’s elite. The England Under-16 international underlined his reputation at the weekend with a devastating hat-trick in a 7–0 thrashing of Liverpool at Under-18 level, a performance that only intensified outside attention.
Despite that, The Sun report that United director of football Jason Wilcox has played a key role in convincing Gabriel and his family to commit to staying at the club this season and into next. His involvement is said to have demonstrated just how highly the teenager is valued within Old Trafford’s long-term plans.
For the first time last week, The Sun revealed that Manchester United released images of Gabriel training with the first-team squad. United head coach Ruben Amorim also held a separate meeting with the youngster and his representatives as part of efforts to reinforce the pathway into senior football. Gabriel was temporarily promoted to first-team training after the Under-21s had a behind-closed-doors fixture and later faced Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup.
Amorim has since spoken publicly about the reasoning behind exposing Gabriel to first-team training intensity, explaining that the experience is designed to help young players understand the demands, speed and physicality required at senior level. United believe these steps are crucial in keeping Gabriel motivated and aligned with the club’s long-term vision.
Why Gabriel’s situation highlights a growing battle for elite youth talent
‘I Almost Joined Manchester United - But Cried Happy Tears When Move Fell Through’
‘I Almost Joined Manchester United - But Cried Happy Tears When Move Fell Through’
Gabriel’s rapid rise and Barcelona’s reported interest underline a growing reality in modern football, Europe’s biggest clubs are now willing to move aggressively for teenagers showing elite-level potential. For Barcelona, the pursuit reflects both their long-standing commitment to youth development and the financial necessity of rebuilding around young, high-upside talent.
For Manchester United, Gabriel represents exactly the type of academy prospect they are under pressure to retain. He joined the club at the age of 10 and even posed alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son when both were part of the academy setup. His growth has been carefully managed, but this season has marked a clear acceleration in both performance level and external recognition.
The Sun report that United insiders remain confident the involvement of Wilcox and Amorim has strengthened their position significantly. However, Barcelona’s interest carries real weight given La Masia’s reputation for producing elite attacking players and the cultural pull that still exists for young footballers dreaming of success in Spain.
United now face the familiar modern-day balancing act, protecting Gabriel from unwanted disruption while also ensuring his development is not stalled. Too much exposure too quickly can be damaging, but delaying progression carries the risk of losing him to a club offering a clearer first-team pathway.
What comes next for Gabriel and Manchester United
Gabriel could take another major step in his development this week when Manchester United begin their FA Youth Cup campaign against Peterborough United. A strong performance in that competition would only further elevate his profile. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher now oversees the Under-18 setup and is expected to play a crucial role in guiding Gabriel through this high-profile stage of his career.
For United, holding on to Gabriel would represent a significant win in the ongoing battle to retain top young talent amid heavy European interest. With Barcelona circling and his reputation continuing to soar, the coming months are likely to prove decisive in shaping the next chapter of his future at Old Trafford.