JJ Gabriel in Norway with Manchester United
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
JJ Gabriel has been training alone in Spain after expressing his desire to leave Manchester United in September. The youngster has broken his silence amid reports that he’s bound for Real Madrid.
Despite still being registered at Manchester United, JJ Gabriel has not been back at the club since walking out in September. The 16-year-old was on the verge of making his senior debut in the FA Cup against Brighton, before announcing in the days leading up to the game that he wished to move elsewhere for senior football.
Gabriel has been linked with clubs around Europe ever since. That includes Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG, but he seems destined to join Real Madrid in January.
According to BBC Sport, Real Madrid have verbally agreed a deal with Gabriel and his representatives, though no club-to-club talks have been held. Other reports suggest United are exploring legal action. The only thing certain right now is that the teenager is burning his bridges with the club.
JJ Gabriel breaks silence ahead of Man Utd exit
Gabriel never appeared for United at senior level in a competition game. However, he did play against Atletico Madrid on United’s pre-season tour. Many felt he could get his chance this season before rejecting a scholarship offer.
The youngster has now broken his silence, conveniently in an exclusive interview with Real Madrid’s mouthpiece newspaper, Marca. He’s on the front page of today’s edition after revealing his preference to sign for Real Madrid over Barcelona. “Obviously, Madrid,” he said, prompting a laugh from his father, Joe O’Cearuill.
As detailed by the Spanish publication, Gabriel has been doing double training sessions in Madrid to prepare for his inevitable move to Los Blancos. He also expressed his desire to win the Ballon d’Or: “My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or.”
Perhaps it’s a red flag when a player prioritises an individual award, such as the Ballon d’Or, rather than winning the Champions League or X number of domestic league titles. Football is a team sport after all. The report from Marca also claims that United offered Gabriel a box at their future stadium and a contract extension. It wasn’t deemed enough, as the teenager and his representatives have made up their minds.
It remains to be seen how United will recoup some of the losses from losing one of their most exciting academy players. That said, this gives other academy prospects a chance to step up and fill the void.