JJ Gabriel is looking to leave Manchester United in a move that has taken the club by surprise ahead of what could have been his first-team debut on Wednesday
JJ Gabriel celebrates
JJ Gabriel has a bright future in the game but that could be away from Manchester United(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are reportedly looking to sign Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel. The Reds could be powerless over his future once he turns 16.
It comes as the academy star is looking to leave ahead of what could have been his first-team debut on Wednesday night. The club had planned to include Gabriel in their squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round. It would have made the 15-year-old United’s youngest-ever first-team player.
But that looks unlikely to happen now with the winger leaving Old Trafford chiefs stunned. Concern grew over Gabriel after he deleted all pictures on his Instagram profile last week. The unusual behaviour came without any explanation, but his desire to leave may offer one.
United officials are unclear what has caused Gabriel to demand to leave the club he has played for since the age of 11.
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Speculation has already begun over where he could end up if he leaves. The Athletic claim that four of Europe's biggest clubs, Madrid, Barca, PSG and Bayern, are all interested.
It is said that Madrid have scouted Gabriel and admired his performance in United’s 5-0 Youth League win over Sabah last Thursday, when he scored a hat-trick. The 15-time Champions League winners reportedly feel well-positioned should he move on.
United have no intention of granting his request to leave and are hopeful a resolution can be found. They acknowledge his talent and are trying to keep him.
JJ Gabriel during Manchester United's pre-season programme
JJ Gabriel has stunned Manchester United with a request to leave(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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However, they could be powerless to stop him from leaving once he turns 16 on October 6th if he has a European passport.
The youngster's contract runs to next summer, but as he is not yet either a scholar or part of United’s full-time model, because he is homeschooled, he could technically leave on his 16th birthday if he has an Irish or Cypriot passport.
Either passport would allow him to move to a foreign club two years earlier than he would be permitted were he solely English. Gabriel’s father, Joe O’Cearuill, won two caps for the Republic of Ireland, while his mother has Cypriot heritage.
And The Daily Mail claim that a move to Spain has long been the dream destination for the player and his family.
Such a scenario would be a blow to United, as they would be due only around £300,000 in compensation if he moves abroad, compared to a significantly higher fee if he joins an English club.