Real Madrid 'believe deal is secured' to sign 16-year-old JJ Gabriel from Man United

Real Madrid believe they have won the race to sign Manchester United academy forward JJ Gabriel, with Spanish reports claiming a deal is close to being finalised for the 16-year-old to move to the Bernabéu in January.

According to Sport, there is growing optimism inside the Madrid camp despite no formal agreement yet being in place, and with Barcelona maintaining firm interest. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also held talks with the teenager, but a move to Spain is understood to be the preference of Gabriel and his family.

Gabriel, who turned 16 on 6 October, has not been present at United’s Carrington training complex since requesting that his registration be terminated. He has instead spent the past three weeks working with a private coach in Castelldefels, Catalonia — a detail that underlines how advanced his departure appears to be.

United have since submitted an official scholarship contract proposal to the player. That move was a deliberate one: had the club failed to do so, Gabriel could have joined another Premier League side without a transfer fee in January. Domestic clubs would now be required to negotiate with United through standard channels, with a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal setting the price if no fee is agreed. United are reportedly seeking in excess of £3 million plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

Should Gabriel move abroad rather than within England, United’s financial return would be significantly smaller. Under official FIFA compensation figures for a Category I academy, the club would be entitled to approximately £350,000.

The teenager’s ability to complete an overseas move before his 18th birthday hinges on EU passport eligibility. Players based in England are ordinarily prevented from switching clubs internationally until they turn 18 following Brexit, but Gabriel may have a route around that restriction. His father, Joe O’Cearuill — who earned two caps for the Republic of Ireland — qualifies through his Irish mother and also has Trinidadian heritage. Gabriel’s mother is of Cypriot descent, giving the youngster two potential pathways to an EU passport, though it remains unclear whether he currently holds the necessary documentation.

United are said to be contemplating legal proceedings if Gabriel departs, despite earlier hopes that a resolution could be reached between the club and the player’s representatives.