Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel has closed in on a transfer to Real Madrid after walking out of the Premier League club, stating that his ultimate ambition is to win the Ballon d’Or.
The 16-year-old remains registered domestically with Manchester United, but he has been training independently in Spain following his relocation with his family. Although no club-to-club negotiations have taken place, sources confirmed to BBC Sport that a verbal agreement is in place between Real Madrid and the player’s representatives.
Training in Spain and the Marca Encounter
Following a training session in the Spanish capital alongside his father, Joe O’Cearuill, the teenager was approached by the newspaper Marca according to Nogomania. When presented with the outlet’s front page detailing his anticipated move to Los Blancos, Gabriel was asked to choose between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Obviously, Madrid,
he replied as reported by Nogomania.
When questioned about his long-term goals, the forward was direct. My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or,
BBC Sport reported, using English during the exchange.
Manchester United Considers Legal Options over Departure
The departure from Manchester United’s academy came after the player grew frustrated with limited opportunities in the senior team. Real Madrid emerged ahead of competition from Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona, with the Spanish club reportedly offering a three-year contract worth more than £850,000 per season according to Nogomania.
Manchester United are examining legal options regarding the circumstances of the transfer and the potential training compensation, Nogomania reported. While United are owed compensation, the payout will be lower because he is signing for an overseas club as BBC Sport noted. FIFA regulations generally restrict international transfers for players under 18, but it is not thought it could prevent the youngster joining a club overseas as he holds a European Union passport through his mother of Cypriot origin, according to BBC Sport.
Real Madrid Plans Development Structure Integration for Gabriel
Real Madrid plan to integrate Gabriel into their Castilla development structure, Nogomania reported. UEFA Youth League rules prevent players from appearing for more than one club in a single competition season; Gabriel scored a hat-trick for United against Sabah in September before his exit BBC Sport stated.
The forward earned recognition last term by winning the Premier League’s Under-18 player of the season award, despite being only 14 years old when that campaign began according to BBC Sport. His decision to leave Old Trafford drew remarks from former winger Ryan Giggs on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Nogomania reported.
So far in his career everything is going fine, why would you disrupt that? You’re on the right track,
Ryan Giggs, former Wales international
Giggs questioned the reasoning behind the young player's departure from the club at such a crucial early stage of his promising development.