Manchester United teenage sensation JJ Gabriel has been in sensational form for the club's Under-18s this season - and his performances have caught the eye of FC Barcelona.
Gabriel in action for Man Utd.
Barcelona are eyeing up a swoop for Man Utd sensation JJ Gabriel.(Image: Getty Images)
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Barcelona are stepping up efforts to sign Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel. The 15-year-old sensation is among the most talked-about talent in the Red Devils' academy - having scored 10 goals in 10 matches for the Under-18s this term.
Gabriel, an England U16s international, scored a hat-trick in the 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool this weekend. He has helped United up to third in the U18s Premier League table with six wins and two draws from their 11 games.
However, according to The Sun, Barcelona are trying to prise Gabriel away from United and take him to their famous La Masia youth system. It's added that United director of football Jason Wilcox was key in convincing Gabriel to remain at he club this season and next campaign.
Sources from the Red Devils feel the involvement of Wilcox showed Gabriel's family how much they value the attacking midfielder, and believe he could have a huge future at Old Trafford. There is confidence that the 2010-born starlet will stay at United for the long haul, rebuffing interest from Barcelona.
Last week, United's head coach Ruben Amorim was said to have held a separate meeting with Gabriel and his camp. It came after the teenage sensation was pictured in first-team training with the rest of the United squad.
Gabriel was promoted to train with the senior players last Thursday as the Under-21s had a behind-closed-doors game on Friday and went up against Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday night.
In an Instagram post back in October, Gabriel confirmed that he had trained with the first-team and Amorim was asked about his inclusion. "Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy, and everyone paid attention on social media," the Portuguese said at the time.
"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 also 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.
"If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it's important, not just for JJ, but for everyone."
Gabriel in action for Man Utd.
JJ Gabriel is turning heads at Man Utd with his performances for the youth teams.
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Gabriel is the latest United star Barcelona are trying to snap-up, with the Catalan giants hoping to bring Marcus Rashford back on a permanent deal next summer. The 28-year-old forward has enjoyed a stellar start to his loan spell at Barca, scoring six times and adding nine assists in 19 appearances.
He was named on the subs bench for Tuesday's 3-1 win against Atletico Madrid but made a vital contribution as a second-half substitute to help his side to a crucial three points. Speaking post-match, Rashford sent a message to the Barca fans. "Important win and great team performance," Rashford posted on Instagram.
Barcelona have the option to make his transfer permanent at the end of the season for a fee of £26million. There was a chance for Rashford to join Aston Villa this summer - after an impressive loan stint in the second half of the 2024/25 season - but Villa chose not to exercise their £40m option.
Rashford will have the chance to add to his goals and assist tally for Barcelona when they take on Real Betis in La Liga this weekend. It will be the first time Rashford goes up against his former United teammate Antony since both players opted to leave the Red Devils on loan in January.
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