Manchester United‘s academy crisis has taken another twist, with JJ Gabriel’s stand-off with the club showing no signs of calming down.
The 15-year-old formally asked to leave Old Trafford this week and is understood to be pushing to enter free agency by cancelling his registration with the club, catching United’s hierarchy completely off guard just days before he was due to become the youngest player in the Red Devils’ history against Brighton.
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox have been dragged into direct talks with Gabriel’s representatives in an attempt to salvage the situation, and Fabrizio Romano revealed they have a less than 50 per cent chance of convincing him to stay.
“At the moment, if you ask me about probabilities, looks difficult for Man United, for sure less than 50 per cent that they can change the situation and keep the player. But I would not rule out anything, because the club message today is we will try, we are still talking, we are still trying to sort the situation.
“So on one side there is United, trying to reach an agreement with JJ, sort the situation, and keep one of the best talents in the world at the club. On the other side, JJ Gabriel wants to go, JJ Gabriel is considering different opportunities.”
Chelsea have already emerged as one of the interested parties. It’s been reported the Blues see Gabriel as a similar profile to Cole Palmer, and with Xabi Alonso overseeing a squad still being reshaped at Stamford Bridge, a teenager of Gabriel’s ceiling arriving cheaply – or for nothing, if the free agency route plays out – would be exactly the kind of coup Chelsea have made their trademark in recent windows.
They’re understood to be among at least two Premier League clubs credited with an interest, though nothing is currently close to being formalised.
Bayern Munich and PSG calling Gabriel’s camp
According to Fabrizio Romano, it’s two huge clubs outside England who have actually gone as far as making contact with the player’s camp.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the reporter was clear that while Real Madrid and Barcelona remain firmly in the picture, it’s PSG and Bayern Munich who have taken the more concrete step.
“All the clubs, top clubs, not only in England but also from other European countries, are pushing for JJ Gabriel and monitoring the situation,” he said.
“Real Madrid is a club we have to take into consideration, Barcelona is a club we have to take into consideration, so these two clubs are looking at the situation of JJ Gabriel for sure, 100 per cent. I can guarantee that.
“Then also other clubs, like PSG, Bayern Munich, made some calls to understand the situation of the boy, but that’s it at the moment, so it’s a very open situation. I would keep a close eye to Spain.”
United, meanwhile, have a game to worry about regardless of how the Gabriel situation resolves itself. Brighton visit Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup third round, a fixture that was supposed to double up as a celebration of one of the club’s greatest academy talents in years.
|
JJ Gabriel career so far |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
|
U18 Premier League |
26 |
26 |
3 |
|
FA Youth Cup |
6 |
3 |
1 |
|
Premier League 2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
UEFA Youth League |
1 |
3 |
0 |
Michael Carrick confirmed he’s got a “decision” to make about rotation but stressed his priority is picking a side capable of winning rather than using the tie purely to freshen legs.
Luke Shaw is a doubt but “could possibly be fit,” while Patrick Dorgu deputised well at left-back against City and is in contention again if Shaw doesn’t make it.
Amad remains some way off a return and Matthijs de Ligt has no firm timeline attached to his comeback either. Carlos Baleba won’t be involved but is closing in on a return to full training after the international break. Expect changes from the City defeat, but not the kind of academy-heavy raid that would have been on the cards had Gabriel’s situation not blown up this week.