JJ Gabriel and his family have yet to make a decision about his future, but it is more likely that his next club will be in Europe.
Real Madrid AND Barcelona maintain a strong interest, while Paris Saint-Germain AND Bayern Munich continue to monitor his situation closely.
Gabriel turned 16 on Tuesday, which is the age at which European clubs are allowed to sign him to a professional contract.
Gabriel is eligible to apply for a European passport through his parents.
Sky Sports News reported on Monday evening that United will consider legal action if he moves to a European club.
However, this is understood to be of no concern to Gabriel and his camp as they consider their next move for the 16-year-old.
Inside JJ Gabriel’s Man Utd future
Gabriel was pictured in United’s 2026/27 squad picture on Monday but is still expected to leave Old Trafford.
Sky Sports News understands that the photo was taken on September 8, when Gabriel was still at the club and expected to feature for the first team this season.
Only a few days later Gabriel and his family made an official request to leave.
Gabriel remains registered at United and Sky Sports News understands that numerous attempts have been made to reconcile the situation with the 16-year-old and his family, with the duty of care being a factor for such a young player, but no progress has been made.
Gabriel has attracted interest from Europe’s biggest clubs and talks have taken place between his camp and the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, with PSG and Bayern Munich also interested in the young attacking talent.
From United’s perspective, they feel they have done all they can to show Gabriel and his family a clear path to their first team, while also protecting his long-term development.
This includes, for example, appearing in the first-team picture that was released on Monday – a message that he had to be included in Michael Carrick’s plans this season.
Another move they would highlight is Gabriel training with the first team for pre-season, while also making his debut against Atletico Madrid in a friendly during that time.
However, Gabriel and his family would have liked more than the eight to nine minutes of the bench he got in that particular game.
Gabriel’s inclusion in pre-season came after the then 15-year-old did not report to the academy squad at the start of pre-season as expected.
The U21s returned to Carrington a week before the first team, and Gabriel was due back at the same time.
But his family believed it was beneath him and were of the opinion that he should only be involved in first-team training and so withdrew him from reporting to the U21s.
Sky Sports News also understands Gabriel had an individual development plan led by the first-team coaches at the club, including the medical and first-team performance departments – all of whom engaged with Gabriel and his family to ensure he was getting the attention they felt he deserved.
However, despite a feeling within the club that the relationship between them and Gabriel’s camp was harmonious, there was a difference of opinion over how much he would feature for the first team at the start of the season.
Gabriel and his family have demanded that he play at least 20 minutes against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25. This was all before the start of negotiations around a scholarship contract to secure his future at the club.
Gabriel was ineligible for the first-team match against Sabah as he was not included in United’s A-list. Instead, he played against Azerbaijan in the UEFA Youth League that day and scored a hat-trick.
Now that Gabriel has turned 16, he would automatically be added to the club’s B-list and be eligible for the following matchday squads – but Gabriel’s family will believe now was the right time for him to break into the first team.
As previously reported, despite being signed up until the end of the season, it is believed that due to a FIFA loophole, Gabriel could leave United for a club in Europe after his 16th birthday if he obtains a European passport, which he could do through either of his parents.
Gabriel has not trained with United since.
Club sources believe the tension between the two camps stems from Gabriel’s family wanting to chase historic records and United wanting to protect his long-term development.
To this point, no club-to-club contact has been made regarding Gabriel’s availability.
Sky Sports News has been told that if a European club tries to lure him through a FIFA loophole, United will consider legal action.
It is presumed from the club’s perspective that the change in attitude of Gabriel’s family around the Sabah game revolves around promises made from elsewhere – either by another European club or a potential representative acting on behalf of Gabriel and his family.
For now the teenager remains a United player and despite the strained relationship, those at the club still believe they are the best place for Gabriel and his individual development.
However, it is unlikely we will ever see Gabriel in a United shirt, with Europe’s biggest clubs surrounding the young star.
