Manchester United's JJ Gabriel has been in talks with Real Madrid over a potential move to the Bernabeu, despite a promising future at Old Trafford ahead of him
JJ Gabriel smiles
JJ Gabriel could be on the move(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Jay Bothroyd believes that JJ Gabriel could potentially flourish through a transfer to La Liga, owing to his physique. The pundit also pointed out how he may find it difficult to excel in the Premier League like Wayne Rooney and Max Dowman, due of the physical demands of the English top flight.
The 15-year-old striker has dominated conversation across Greater Manchester in recent days, following reports that he appears keen to leave Manchester United, as he seeks to maximise his development during his formative years. It is believed that super agent, Ali Barat, has also been instrumental in arranging discussions between the teenager's family and Real Madrid - alongside Bayern Munich.
Barcelona have also been touted as suitors for Gabriel, as his future in Greater Manchester hangs in the balance. The academy prospect could have made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup clash against Brighton and Hove Albion last week, with Michael Carrick reportedly set to name him in the squad for the fixture.
That would have seen Gabriel become United's youngest-ever first-team player. However, that didn't materialise following a request submitted earlier in the week.
Gabriel has also subsequently removed all images from his Instagram account in a worrying development with no clarification provided. While United supporters will be anxious to keep hold of the striker, who could develop into world football's next prodigy, Bothroyd has suggested that a transfer to Spain might prove hugely beneficial in terms of prospects and opportunities.
Speaking alongside Simon Jordan and Andros Townsend on Piers Morgan's Sports Uncensored show, the former Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers striker said: "At the end of the day, the parents just want what's best for their son.
"And it's not like they're particularly saying, 'I want him to play right now.' It's very much like, 'We just want him to go in the best possible direction.'
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"Now, when you look at him, his body. We talk about [Florian] Wirtz and we say, 'He's lightweight, he's not ready for the Premier League, he can't play there.'
"But when you look at JJ Gabriel, there's not much difference in his body. They may think that he could do better going to Barcelona or Spain, or wherever it may be. At the end of the day, I think we can't talk about him in a negative way. We can't talk about the parents."
When Jordan asked whether Gabriel's parents and agents or his coaches were better placed to offer guidance, Bothroyd replied: "I would say the parents, because they know their kid. They know what he's capable of at the moment.
"And he hasn't grown into his man's body yet. We were talking about Max Dowman...I look at Max Dowman, he has similarities to Rooney.
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"Rooney was throwing defenders on the floor at 16 years old. I'm seeing Dowman do the same things. You look at JJ, he's not the same, he's more slight.
"He's got that, kind of, Neymar body where he's quick. He's got really quick feet, his acceleration is there. But physically, he's not going to be throwing no-one to the floor.
"Maybe his family are looking at it and saying, 'You know what, maybe it's best that his development can come from abroad like the leagues of La Liga.'"
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