Man Utd are in the dark over JJ Gabriel's future but don't expect the 15-year-old to return to the club after he asked to leave last week.
LEIGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31:JJ Gabriel of Manchester United U21 warms up ahead of the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United U21 and Leicester City U21 at Leigh Sports Village on August 31, 2026 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel is pushing to leave Manchester United(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Super agent Ali Barat has helped facilitate talks between JJ Gabriel's family and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich after emerging as a key player in the 15-year-old's future.
There has been some surprise at Manchester United at the presence of one of the game's most prominent agents around Gabriel, with the teenager now looking destined for a move to Europe after trying to walk out of Old Trafford.
Although a player can't be formally represented by an agent until they turn 16 and are eligible to sign scholarship terms, Barat and his Epic Sports agency are the frontrunners to represent Gabriel after bringing Real and Bayern to the table for his signature.
While Gabriel's family already had longstanding links with Barcelona, with United aware of the Catalan club's interest for at least four years amid a courtship that has seen the teenager meet Neymar and Lamine Yamal, Barat has been able to whip up further interest in one of the most talented players of his generation.
Gabriel stunned United by asking to be de-registered last week, a process that would have allowed him to leave the club as a free agent. United have rejected that request, but the teenager hasn't been seen at the club since scoring a hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League win against Sabah on September 10, and it's considered unlikely he will now return.
Both parties are in limbo at the moment after United rejected Gabriel's request to leave the club. Despite that, the forward and his camp have been on the continent for talks with the super clubs keen on signing him when he turns 16 on October 6.
A FIFA loophole means the game's governing body could grant permission for Gabriel to move to the continent then because he qualifies for an EU passport, although there is some uncertainty whether he currently has the required documentation. While his father was born in London, he represented the Republic of Ireland through his parents, which should qualify Gabriel for an Irish passport. His mother is also Cypriot, which would also meet the eligibility requirements.
If Gabriel agrees a deal to move to Europe, FIFA must sign off on the move, which would only entitle United to a six-figure compensation fee for a player they have put plenty of resources into developing.
The club signing Gabriel must prove several elements to FIFA for the deal to go ahead, including an education provision. Gabriel is currently homeschooled, which makes it unclear how that will play out.
According to FIFA regulations, the club receiving the player must "guarantee academic, school and/or vocational education or training in addition to football development, so the player can pursue a career outside football if necessary."
As reported by the MEN's United Notebook at the weekend, Gabriel's decision to play for United in the UEFA Youth League game against Sabah means he is now ineligible to play for another club in that competition this season.
Although he is keen to start playing first-team football, there is some scepticism about whether he will achieve that this season under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants thought to be leading the chase for Gabriel.