Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with 16-year-old JJ Gabriel over a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and they intend to sign him in January. Gabriel is registered with the Manchester United academy until the end of the season, and he requested to leave the club in September.
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been keen on the teenager. However, Real Madrid have made the most progress in the race to sign one of Europe’s most highly rated academy players. It is understood there has been no club-to-club contact over the player so far.
How the move can happen
A FIFA loophole allows European clubs to tie down young players to professional contracts if they hold a European passport. Gabriel qualifies through both of his parents, which is why a move of this kind is possible at his age.
When Gabriel’s camp made clear he wanted to move on, they asked for him to be de-registered immediately so he could become a free agent. United were reported in October to be considering legal action if a move materialises, although it is understood that prospect is not a concern for Gabriel’s camp. Gabriel is currently in Spain maintaining his fitness. He has not trained with the club since he made his request.
It is understood a major factor in Gabriel leaning towards Real Madrid is his belief, shared by his camp, that there is a clear pathway to the first team at the Bernabeu.
Why Gabriel wanted out
Gabriel and his camp felt he should have had more first-team involvement, both in pre-season and in the early weeks of the season. He featured in the first-team squad photo, trained with the main group in pre-season and came off the bench for the senior side in a friendly against AC Milan. However, the player and his family were not satisfied with the nine-minute cameo.
Gabriel did not report back with the academy squad at the start of pre-season, as expected. His family believed the U21 schedule was beneath him and felt he should only be involved in first-team training, so they pulled him out of reporting back with the U21s. The family also requested that he play at least 20 minutes against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25.
United chose not to include Gabriel in their Champions League A-list squad, which made him ineligible for the Sabah match. As a homegrown player, he became eligible for the competition when he turned 16 in October, when he would automatically be added to the B-list squad. His family considered that the right moment for him to be involved in first-team action.
Club sources believe the tension between the two sides stems from Gabriel’s family wanting to chase historical records, while United want to protect his long-term development.
United’s position
United pulled out all the stops over the last 12 months to convince Gabriel and his family there was a pathway to the first team. They met Sir Alex Ferguson, Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick. Gabriel also trained with the senior squad and made his first-team debut at the age of 15, against Atletico Madrid in pre-season.
Analysis of the situation suggests the departure has been expected for some time. Gabriel and his family have no longstanding ties to the club, and they are pursuing what they see as their dream move to Real Madrid. United will no longer have to make further concessions to accommodate a young player and his family, a situation that can risk upsetting the balance of an entire academy system. Parents and agents of other academy players will also take note of the tailored treatment he received, which can create expectations that are difficult to manage across the youth system.
The focus will soon shift to the teenager himself. His talent is undeniable, but the circus surrounding his exit could hinder his development or prove to be little more than a footnote in what could be a long and illustrious career. Time will tell. Jose Mourinho is also expected to have something to say about it.
Merse on the loss
Merse was blunt about the departure. “This kid’s a good player. He’s a very good player. He could have been a superstar. Man Utd will be gutted.
“This rule has got to change. I think it’s because his mum and dad have got an Irish passport that he’s allowed to go abroad. And that needs to change.
“Manchester United have worked on this kid, made him the player he is. Obviously, he’d have been gifted at the same time.
“The thing is, he’s going to Real Madrid. I said Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world. He’s going to the biggest club in the world. It’s not like there’s not a player in the world who wouldn’t go to Real Madrid.
“You ask any player who’s playing in the Premier League, if Real Madrid come for you, it’s very rare you turn them down. Great opportunity for the kid.”