ไทย
English
中國人
Real Madrid have reportedly reached a "verbal agreement" with Manchester United's disgruntled academy prodigy JJ Gabriel, though his departure from Old Trafford looks set to become increasingly complicated.
The 16-year-old talent shocked United when it emerged earlier this season that he was pushing for a quick exit. Gabriel had been on track to become the club's youngest ever first-team player against Brighton & Hove Albion but pulled out of contention on the night before the Carabao Cup match.
It has since been revealed that playing time demands made by the youngster's camp went unaddressed by Michael Carrick, with moves to immediately cancel his contract filtering through a series of media reports.
Once it became apparent that one of Europe's most gifted academy prospects was available, a scramble of interested clubs emerged. "The world is his oyster," said United's youth team manager Darren Fletcher. Everyone soon came rushing for the prize.
Bayern Munich publicly declared their interest and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly had a bid turned down. Premier League competitors Arsenal and Manchester City were also believed to be in contention, but it now appears that Real Madrid have claimed the prize.
The Spanish heavyweights have reached a verbal agreement with the player and his camp over appropriate terms for a professional deal ahead of a proposed January move, as first reported by Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg and subsequently corroborated by BBC Sport.
The England U-17 international is eligible for a European transfer while still just 16 thanks to an EU passport obtained through Cypriot and Irish heritage. However, his decision to join Real Madrid—rather than one of United's domestic competitors—will carry a financial, as well as reputational, cost for a club that is reportedly weighing up legal action.
Man Utd 'Considering' Legal Action Against Real Madrid
Despite turning his back on the club and reportedly ignoring all attempts at communication after netting a hat-trick on his debut in the UEFA Youth League, Gabriel remains registered at Manchester United.
While the junior contract the teenager signed as a 15-year-old is still in effect, the club will look into taking "legal action" against any European club attempting to acquire Gabriel, according to the Manchester Evening News. There is understood to have been no communication between United and Real Madrid at this stage of proceedings.
FIFA must sanction Gabriel's transfer. The modest training compensation United are entitled to threatens to further inflame the situation, as the Red Devils could receive as little as £100,000 ($135,000) and are unlikely to collect more than £300,000 ($405,000) for a player dubbed "Kid Messi."
The expense of signing Gabriel won't stop there. The Times report that Real Madrid—unlike Bayern Munich—were prepared to meet the seven-figure wage package demanded by the teenager. Yet whether José Mourinho will accommodate his playing time demands remains an entirely different question.
The Portuguese manager does not have a track record of placing faith in young players. It took Mourinho nearly a month to hand a starting berth to 19-year-old Yan Diomande—a player his club invested up to €140 million ($157.7 million) in during the summer. How long it will take Gabriel to win over the stubborn manager remains to be seen.