Manchester United consider legal action as Real Madrid close in on teenage prospect JJ Gabriel

Manchester United are preparing for a possible legal dispute with Real Madrid over the proposed transfer of 16-year-old JJ Gabriel, whose move to the Spanish club is expected to be completed in January.

Gabriel has agreed to join Real Madrid after the club accepted his financial demands, according to the Catalan newspaper Sport. The teenager has reportedly been absent from Manchester United’s training base since September and has cut contact with the club.

A report by the Mirror says Gabriel chose Real Madrid despite receiving interest from several leading European clubs. His future had been the subject of increasing speculation after he asked to leave United in September, frustrated by the wait for an opportunity to make his first-team debut.

The youngster is also understood to have concerns about Manchester United’s decline in recent years and believes his career would be better served by moving elsewhere. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain had all shown interest, but Gabriel has now selected Real Madrid as his preferred destination.

Manchester United still hold his registration and are unwilling to lose one of Europe’s most promising young players for a nominal fee. The club has made repeated attempts to contact Gabriel since his final match for United in September, but has received no response.

Gabriel has continued training in the Castelldefels area of Barcelona since leaving Manchester United. The English club is reportedly shocked by the way the teenager has attempted to force a move, particularly because he developed at the Carrington academy after joining United in 2022.

Spanish reports claim Real Madrid have persuaded Gabriel to move by offering a three-year contract worth more than £850,000 (€1m) a year.

However, the Mirror, citing the Manchester Evening News, reports that Manchester United have received no approach from either Real Madrid or Gabriel’s representatives regarding the transfer.

The club could therefore consider legal action because the compensation due after Fifa approves the move would be considerably lower than Gabriel’s estimated market value, believed to be between £100,000 and £300,000.

Competition for elite young players has intensified in recent years, leading to several high-profile disputes between clubs. In February, Liverpool were forced to pay Chelsea £2.8m in compensation for Rio Ngumoha.

Gabriel turned 16 in October and has obtained a European Union passport, making an overseas transfer easier. Despite that, further negotiations or court proceedings could follow if Manchester United and Real Madrid fail to reach an agreement.