Man Utd is in a hurry to sort out JJ Gabriel’s future as a big money problem comes up
Manchester United have been given a deadline to try and convince 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who wants to leave the club, to stay. Gabriel’s full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel. Last week, he told United he wants to leave and asked for his registration to be canceled.
Since then, he and his team have been talking with big clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also interested in the young talent known as ‘Kid Messi.’ United are still hopeful they can persuade Gabriel to change his mind and stay at Old Trafford.
The Daily Mail updated the story on Tuesday (September 22), saying United has just 14 days to convince Gabriel. On October 6, Gabriel will turn 16, which means he can then sign with an agent and join a club in the EU using his Irish passport.
United reportedly won’t cancel his registration right now. All three sides – the club, Gabriel, and his parent or carer – need to agree before the registration can be ended. If they don’t agree, any of them can ask the Premier League to make a final decision.
If United block a move, Gabriel could appeal to the Premier League or FIFA. Gabriel hasn’t been seen at United since scoring a hat-trick in a UEFA Youth League win over Sabah on September 10.
It’s believed Gabriel wants to leave because he feels United aren’t as strong as Europe’s top teams. According to a report, the family think United have fallen behind since Sir Alex Ferguson’s time, as the club hasn’t won the Premier League since 2013.
A source close to Gabriel’s family said they believe United are “far away” from clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and even rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. They want him to “learn from the best” and reach his full potential.
Michael Carrick, United’s head coach who gave Gabriel his first senior game during pre-season, has said the young player’s future should be handled carefully, and that the club’s main focus is his well-being.
If Gabriel joins a Premier League rival, United might only get about £300,000 in compensation, but that would have to be decided by a tribunal.