Barcelona, Real Madrid Monitor JJ Gabriel Amid Manchester United Departure Demands

JJ Gabriel has requested to leave Manchester United, alerting Barcelona and Real Madrid to his potential availability next summer.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring 15-year-old JJ Gabriel following his request to leave Manchester United, sources told ESPN. The teenager, who turns 16 on Oct. 6, is eligible to sign scholarship forms on his birthday but has stunned club officials by seeking a departure. While Gabriel is set to miss training this week and will be excluded from Michael Carrick’s squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday, United reportedly refuse to cancel his contract or de-register him.

Gabriel possesses an Irish passport, which allows for a transfer to a European side despite his age. Real Madrid’s current strategy involves placing the attacker in their B-team if a move is finalized next summer. Beyond the Spanish giants, Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea are also tracking the situation. One source close to a top English club suggested a belief exists within the industry that the player may eventually reconcile with United.

Had the stand-off not occurred, Gabriel was expected to feature against Brighton, where he would have become the youngest player in Manchester United history. Club leadership remains hopeful the relationship can be repaired, though they claim to be unaware of the specific reasons behind his desire to exit Old Trafford.