JJ Gabriel
Manchester United chiefs are locked in talks to convince JJ Gabriel to stay at Old Trafford, according to the BBC, as the chances of a U-turn have emerged.
Gabriel is seen as one of the most exciting teenagers in world football, and he is a player Man United will be desperate to keep in their ranks.
There didn't appear to be any issues behind the scenes, but in recent days the 15-year-old has told the Red Devils that he wants to leave and has sent a formal notice to cancel his registration with immediate effect.
One suggestion is that he was disappointed not to play more for the first-team in recent months, but his immediate exit is far from guaranteed as the Red Devils are able to challenge the forward's request.
The teenager made his senior debut for the club in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid last month, and there has been some talk that the player and his family were disappointed that he wasn't involved for the Champions League game against Sabah last week, when Harry Amass and Shea Lacey were handed their Champions League debuts.
Gabriel was in line to be part of the matchday squad for the EFL Cup clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night, but after telling the club his intention to leave and not training with the first-team in recent days, he was left out.
According to BBC reporter Simon Stone, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are now locked in new talks with the player and his family, with the hope it will lead to Gabriel changing his mind and staying.
JJ Gabriel's Man United record:
U18s - 32 apps, 29 goals, 4 assists
U19s (UEFA) - 1 app, 3 goals, 0 assists
U21s - 2 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists
The situation has moved to the background following the club's shocking 3-2 defeat to the Seagulls on Wednesday night, which saw them lose their 50-year record of being unbeaten at Old Trafford when they led by two goals at half-time.
But now the priority will be to sort Gabriel's future out, with the player set to turn 16 on October 6.
What Are The Chances of JJ Gabriel Reversing His Decision?
Image credit: Action Images/Andrew Boyers
According to the BBC, the chances of a turnaround remain 'low', with the player and his family feeling the club have broken their promises in recent months.
While there has been interest from the Premier League from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, the fact that the teenager has an Irish passport means he can leave for a European club when he turns 16, GIVEMESPORT understands.
According to GMS senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, Real Madrid are one of the leading contenders for the 15-year-old's signature, but Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also involved in the race.
My information is that a move to Spain and Real Madrid or Barcelona in particular is looking like the most viable possibility if Gabriel leaves Manchester United.
Gabriel basically has his choice of most of the biggest clubs in the world, and the passport part of this story makes things interesting, as United would have believed they had until the end of the season to iron things out.
Now, they are in more of a rush, with the fear that he could walk away on his 16th birthday without them receiving a penny of compensation, in the worst-case scenario.
While the Red Devils clearly shouldn't be held to ransom by a 15-year-old, his frustrations are understandable when he sees 16-year-old Max Dowman already making 14 first-team appearances for one of the best clubs in Europe in Arsenal, scoring three goals, including two against Ipswich Town in midweek.
The Gunners have given the talented teenager a pathway to senior men's football that Gabriel obviously thinks he is capable of too, even if the suggestion from United coaches is that he doesn't have the physical levels to do that yet.
The next days are likely to give us the final decision, as United work overtime to keep one of their biggest talents for years at Old Trafford.
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot reacts
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot reacts