JJ Gabriel’s Manchester United future has been plunged into major doubt after he requested to leave the club, with several European clubs now monitoring his situation
Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed reports linking the club with Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel, claiming that the Spanish giants are not ‘interested in any player in his situation.’ The 15-year-old has informed United of his desire to leave the club, with his family reportedly believing the club has fallen behind their rivals and that his development would be better served elsewhere.
Gabriel has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for United’s academy sides and attracted plenty of attention during pre-season after being integrated into Michael Carrick’s first-team setup. However, he is yet to make his senior debut.
It had been planned for Gabriel to make his first-team bow against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, only for him to ultimately be left out of the squad following his request to leave. United have less than two weeks to find a resolution before he turns 16 on October 6, when he will become eligible to be legally represented by an agent.
The attacker will also be able to join a foreign club using his Irish passport. Earlier this week, reports from Spain claimed Gabriel could be set for a move across Europe, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among the clubs said to be interested in signing him.
It was also claimed that Gabriel and his representatives had already travelled to Spain, visiting both Madrid and Barcelona, with the United youngster said to have reached a ‘first major agreement’ to join one of the two clubs rather than move elsewhere.
Deco has now addressed the reports, stressing that Barcelona would first need to understand the situation before considering whether to make any move.
“There’s nothing to say about this boy, it’s normal we always have players linked with us,” Deco told journalist Ben Jacobs. “There’s a huge market for that, even when they [players] are young.
“We are not interested in any player in his situation. I am not sure what’s happening, and if he’s still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that.
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“First of all, we need to understand how the situation is before we try to do something. And to speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business.”
United officials remain unclear over what has prompted Gabriel to seek a departure from the club he joined at the age of 11. The youngster made his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah last Thursday and marked the occasion with a hat-trick as his rapid rise through the academy ranks continued.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are unwilling to bow to the demands and tear up the youngster’s current contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season. If United were to terminate the deal, they could receive as little as £300,000 in compensation, despite Gabriel potentially being worth millions of pounds in the years ahead.
There is also the possibility that Gabriel could appeal to the Premier League or FIFA in an attempt to secure his release from United. Gabriel has been absent from the club for the past two weeks and his departure now appears increasingly likely, although United have made it clear that the youngster’s welfare remains their priority.
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