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Real Madrid is interested in signing Manchester United's 15-year-old academy player JJ Gabriel, who recently requested to terminate his contract with the club. Several top European teams like Barcelona and PSG also want Gabriel, but Real Madrid’s pursuit of him is particularly strong. The Spanish club aims to recruit Gabriel immediately for their second team, Castilla, which competes in senior football leagues unlike England's youth structures.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old footballer nicknamed "Kid Messi," has requested to cancel his registration with Manchester United, potentially leaving the club as a free agent. Gabriel's decision came just days before he was set to make his competitive first-team debut in the Carabao Cup match against Brighton on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Top European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, and Bayern Munich are interested in signing him. Manchester United is trying to retain Gabriel through talks with Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox, but the player's entourage insists that he feels let down by the club’s handling of his future prospects. Michael Carrick, the senior manager, emphasized prioritizing Gabriel's welfare amidst the high-profile situation.
Written for “Gabriel Transfer Rumors” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Real Madrid are among the clubs trying to sign Manchester United academy player JJ Gabriel.
Earlier this week, the 15-year-old sent United formal notice he wants to cancel his registration with immediate effect, but the club can challenge the request.
asserted
club → publish → request
It is understood a number of major teams across Europe, including Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich, have a firm interest in the forward, but multiple sources have described Real's efforts to sign him as strong.
asserted
sources → understand → him
The Spanish side want to recruit the teenager immediately and position him in Real Madrid Castilla - the club's recognised reserved team.
asserted
side → want → Castilla
Unlike in England, Castilla play in senior football and are in the regionalised third league of the Spanish system.
asserted
Castilla → play → system
Last season, they were coached by Alvaro Arbeloa, who then took over the senior Real side following Xabi Alonso's dismissal and has since moved to Fulham.
asserted
who → coach → Fulham
Thiago Pitarch, who was 18 at the start of last season, played for Castilla in a Premier League International Cup encounter against Southampton in October, and made 16 senior appearances across the campaign.
asserted
who → play → campaign
Sources close to Gabriel, who turns 16 on 6 October, feel let down by United, arguing promises around the pathway to the first team have not been kept.
asserted
promises → turn → team
The club say it was anticipated Gabriel would become the youngest ever senior player by playing in Wednesday night's EFL Cup tie with Brighton.
asserted
Gabriel → say → Brighton
Given they lost 3-2 after leading 2-0, it is debatable whether that would have actually happened.
asserted
that → give → ?
United have not given up hope of keeping Gabriel, though they are unsure precisely why he wants to leave.
asserted
he → give → Gabriel
It is understood the player is not currently training with the club.
asserted
player → understand → club
Speaking after the Brighton game, head coach Michael Carrick, who gave the youngster his senior debut during the pre-season match with Atletico Madrid in Stockholm said everyone needed to be mindful of Gabriel's age.
asserted
everyone → speak → age
"I just think we've got to be really careful of the whole situation," he said.
asserted
he → think → situation
He's 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players - their welfare, their well-being, their exposure - we've got to be really conscious of that in this situation."
asserted
we → look → situation
Sources close to Gabriel have dismissed concerns over the player's age and physicality and feel the likes of Max Dowman, who made his debut for Arsenal at the age of 15 last season, show a willingness to trust youth in a way they do not see at United.
asserted
they → dismiss → United
Chelsea are also believed to have a major interest in the teenager.
asserted
Chelsea → believe → teenager
Any imminent move away from Old Trafford for Gabriel is complicated because of rules regarding the registration of young players.
asserted
move → complicate → players
United say Gabriel's registration runs to the end of the season.
asserted
registration → say → season
It would be easier for him to leave United then, when he will be 16.
asserted
he → leave → United
However, as Gabriel has an EU passport, it is possible he will be allowed to join a club within European Union borders on his 16th birthday.
asserted
he → have → birthday
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