Madrid leads race for JJ Gabriel as five United demands surface

Real Madrid are confident they can secure the signature of JJ Gabriel ahead of Barcelona, according to reports detailing the teenager’s stringent requirements for remaining at Manchester United. The club believes it is well-positioned to win this fierce battle for the academy standout.

Five Conditions For Staying At Old Trafford

Gabriel and his representatives presented a list of five demands to United, citing coverage from Sport, which referenced ESPN, the Manchester Evening News, BBC Sport, and The Times. These conditions included a request for the No 77 shirt with ‘Gabriel Jr’ printed on the back.

His family insisted on a permanent promotion from the academy, requiring him to train exclusively with Michael Carrick’s first team going forward. They also sought guaranteed playing time, specifically asking for 20 minutes against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the League Cup, and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Additionally, Gabriel allegedly requested a seven-figure salary to extend his contract. Reports indicate INEOS was never inclined to accept these terms, making a separation inevitable. The attacking midfielder had previously shocked the club by submitting a formal request to terminate his contract on September 15.

Transfer Dynamics And Compensation

Catalan outlet Sport described the situation as entering its decisive phase, with Barca and Madrid emerging as the leading candidates for a January move. While Madrid presses hard, no final decision has been made, leaving Barcelona with a chance to sign him. German journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that the forward is poised to reject Bayern Munich in favor of Spain.

Gabriel holds an Irish passport through his father, enabling a potential departure as early as January. If he joins a Premier League rival, United would receive at least £3 million. However, compensation drops to just £350k if he moves to Madrid or Barcelona.

The 16-year-old is considered the most exciting academy player at Man Utd and arguably the best in his age group nationally. Last season, he was named the U18 Premier League Player of the Year despite being only 14 when the campaign began. United have attempted multiple times to tie him down to a scholarship deal but now brace for his exit.