Bellingham reportedly urges 16-year-old Gabriel to join Real Madrid as United await £300k compensation

Jude Bellingham has reportedly intervened personally to persuade Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel to sign for Real Madrid, with the England midfielder said to be lined up as the 16-year-old’s mentor should the move go through in the January transfer window.

Spanish outlet Sport claims Bellingham has had a “significant role” in convincing Gabriel to make the switch to the Spanish capital, where the youngster would initially feature for Madrid’s reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla, rather than José Mourinho’s first team.

Gabriel’s future at Old Trafford has been the subject of intense speculation since September, when it emerged that the teenager had expressed a desire to leave United and have his registration cancelled — a move that would have made him a free agent. Since then, Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners to secure his signature.

Despite reports suggesting a deal is close, United are understood to have been left surprised by claims that a transfer is imminent. The club are also said to have yet to receive any direct contact from Madrid regarding Gabriel, contradicting suggestions that negotiations are already advanced.

The compensation fee United could receive remains a point of significant uncertainty. While some reports have indicated Madrid would be willing to pay up to £8.5 million for the player, it is now understood that the actual fee is expected to fall considerably short of that figure — somewhere in the region of £100,000 to £300,000.