JJ Gabriel’s future just got surprising as the young Man Utd star’s favorite next team has been revealed!
JJ Gabriel has a special liking for Barcelona after saying he wants to leave Manchester United, but reports from Spain say Real Madrid might have the edge in signing him. Gabriel’s team talked with Barcelona on Friday (September 18) after the 15-year-old asked to cancel his registration with United.
The young player, nicknamed ‘Kid Messi,’ has also caught the attention of big clubs like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. It turns out that United’s struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson left are a big reason Gabriel wants to move on.
Because Gabriel is only 15, he can’t sign a scholarship deal until he turns 16 on October 6, and he has to wait until he’s 17 for a professional contract. Manchester United has reportedly said no to his request to leave, and his registration can only be canceled if the club, the player, and his parent or guardian all agree. If they don’t, the Premier League can step in to make a final decision.
Even though United wants to keep him, reports say Gabriel doesn’t plan to sign a new contract, and the club knows there’s no going back. Gabriel seems to prefer moving to La Liga, seeing it as the best place to develop his skills and reach the top level soon. That likely rules out PSG and Bayern, leaving Barcelona and Real Madrid as the main contenders.
While Gabriel feels a special connection to Barcelona, Real Madrid can offer more money, which gives them an advantage in signing him.
Gabriel is known as one of the most talented young players in the world. He won Manchester United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award after scoring 23 goals in the under-18 Premier League last season, including three in a 7-0 win over Liverpool.
Wayne Rooney, who has watched Gabriel grow up in United’s academy alongside his own son Kai, isn’t surprised by his desire to leave. He told Stick To Football on Disney+: “I’ve seen JJ grow up, playing with my son Kai. Anyone close to it knew this was coming. Manchester United has done everything to keep him because he’s a special player. The club treated him differently because of his talent. It’s disappointing because he’s such a great player and a lovely kid.”
At first, people thought Gabriel wanted to leave because he wasn’t playing in the first team, but now it’s clear that the club’s recent struggles are the main reason behind his decision.