Real Madrid face UEFA Youth League hurdle in move for Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel

Real Madrid’s proposed move for 16-year-old Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel has hit an unexpected obstacle, with the teenager unable to play in the UEFA Youth League for the Spanish club this season.

Gabriel has travelled to Spain as talks continue over a transfer which is still expected to go through. However, Real Madrid are unhappy that he will be ineligible for the competition after already appearing for Manchester United in this season’s tournament.

The teenager scored a hat-trick for the English club in the UEFA Youth League, meaning he cannot represent another team in the competition for the remainder of the campaign. That restriction has complicated Real Madrid’s plans, with the club intending to place Gabriel in their reserve side.

The report was published by The Sun on Saturday. Despite the issue, the transfer is expected to be completed and would see Manchester United receive compensation of about £350,000.

Gabriel became eligible to leave Old Trafford after turning 16 last month. His Cypriot passport allows him to avoid the transfer restrictions connected with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

He has already started training in Madrid and recently told Spanish newspaper Marca: “My dream is to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Request to leave Manchester United

Gabriel surprised Manchester United in September when he informed club officials that he wanted to leave. He submitted formal notification of his intention to depart, despite having joined the club at the age of 11.

Before that decision, his family had asked for him to be given 20 minutes during a match against Azerbaijani side Sabah in the UEFA Youth League. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick did not accept the request.

Gabriel subsequently trained on his own after making his desire to leave public.

The Sun also reported that Gabriel had sought a seven-figure annual salary in discussions with Bayern Munich. Barcelona had also shown interest in the teenager.

The transfer to Real Madrid would therefore provide Manchester United with financial compensation, while the Spanish club would add one of the most highly regarded young players involved in the negotiations to their development structure. The immediate concern for Real Madrid, however, is that Gabriel will not be available to play for them in the UEFA Youth League this season.