Man United face two-week deadline to keep 15-year-old JJ Gabriel as Real Madrid and Barcelona circle

Manchester United are racing against a self-imposed two-week deadline to convince teenage prospect JJ Gabriel to stay at Old Trafford, with Real Madrid and Barcelona already reported to have held talks with the 15-year-old.

Gabriel stunned the club earlier this month by requesting the termination of his registration. He had been in line to make his first-team debut against Brighton in the Carabao Cup before the fallout, and has not featured for any United youth side since. Reports indicate he has since travelled to Spain to hold discussions with both Madrid clubs.

The urgency stems from Gabriel’s upcoming 16th birthday on 6 October. Once he turns 16, he becomes legally eligible to be represented by an agent and, crucially, can join a foreign club using his Irish passport. Super-agents Ali Barat and Jorge Mendes are said to be keen on representing him at that point.

United’s hierarchy remains unwilling to terminate Gabriel’s current contract, which runs until the end of the season. The club’s reluctance is partly financial — releasing him now could yield as little as £300,000 in compensation, a fraction of what he might command in future transfer fees. Despite that, the club has made clear that the youngster’s welfare is their primary concern.

Gabriel could also pursue an appeal with the Premier League or FIFA to secure his release. Given his age and the possibility of a lucrative offer from one of Europe’s biggest clubs, it would be legally difficult for United to block a family relocation. FIFA regulations do impose specific criteria around a young player’s education in cross-border moves, though home-schooling is reported to offer a potential route around those rules for interested clubs.

United’s recent decline on the pitch is described as the principal reason behind Gabriel and his family seeking a move, and sources close to the situation suggest it is now very likely that the player will depart.