JJ Gabriel reaches verbal agreement with Real Madrid after Man Utd transfer request | Football

JJ Gabriel has reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid after indicating his desire to leave Manchester United, according to reports.

Gabriel, who turned 16 on October 6, informed United of his desire to leave in September and has not trained with the club since then.

The forward joined Manchester United’s academy four years ago and quickly established himself as one of the most highly-rated youngsters at the club, featuring for the U18 side at the age of just 14.

Gabriel played under Michael Carrick during the club’s pre-season camp, and was expected to make his competitive first-team debut earlier this season against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

However, Gabriel and his entourage instead explored alternative options, with the youngster making it clear that he wanted to pursue first-team football elsewhere.

Several clubs across Europe, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, all expressed interest in signing the teenager.

But reports from Sky Germany indicate that Real are now closing in on a deal, having reached a verbal agreement in principle with Gabriel.

Gabriel, who has an Irish passport, could finalise a move to the Spanish giants as early as January next year.

United would be due compensation should the move be completed, although the figure will be lower if he signs for a club outside the Premier League.

Speaking earlier in the campaign when reports of Gabriel’s desire to leave United first emerged, Carrick said: ‘I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation.

‘He’s a young boy, he’s 15 and the biggest [thing] for me definitely and as a club point of view is looking after our younger players. Their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure.

‘And I think all of us we’ve got to be really conscious of that, really, in this situation.

‘As a club, for sure, we’re all involved in those conversations. I just think we’ve got to be very careful of that.’

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