‘Obviously, Madrid’: Man United’s 16-year-old is already training in Spain, after turning down a box at the future Old Trafford

JJ Gabriel is already living in Madrid, training twice a day and telling anyone who asks that his dream is to win the Ballon d’Or, while he is still registered as a Manchester United player.

The 16-year-old asked Manchester United to cancel his registration in September, which would have made him a free agent. United refused, and he has not played for them or trained at Carrington since. Now Real Madrid are finalising the terms of his move, with January the first window in which it can be done.

According to Marca, who met him in Madrid this week, Gabriel trains on the grass in the morning on his own with a personal trainer and spends the afternoons in the gym. Asked why Madrid is better than Barcelona, he answered: “Obviously, Madrid.” Then, before leaving, he added: “My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or.”

What did Man United offer JJ Gabriel to stay?

More than a contract. United offered him a renewal and even a box at the future Old Trafford, and it still wasn’t enough. They had also offered him a scholarship earlier this year, which would have turned into a professional contract when he turns 17 in October 2027.

Gabriel joined United at 11 after spells in the youth systems of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham. He was about to make his senior debut against Brighton in the League Cup when he refused to train with the first team, and his last game for the club was a hat-trick for the Under-19s against Sabah in September.

How can a 16-year-old leave for Spain?

FIFA’s rules ban international transfers of players under 18 as a general rule, but there’s an exception for 16 to 18-year-olds with an EU passport moving within Europe. Gabriel qualifies for an Irish passport, and that is what makes the JJ Gabriel transfer possible.

The catch for United is the money. Because he is moving abroad, the training compensation is expected to be around £350,000, a tiny figure for a player Real Madrid want so badly. The club are also reported to be considering legal action against any European club that signs him.

His agent, Ali Barat, who has been with him for just under a month, is working on the contract and on finding a home for Gabriel and his family. His father, the former footballer Joe O’Cearuill, is with him in Madrid.

Where does Jude Bellingham come in?

Reports in Spain say Jude Bellingham played a key part in convincing his fellow Englishman to choose Madrid, and that he will act as his mentor once he arrives. Barcelona tracked the situation but never made a firm offer, and Gabriel also turned down PSG.

He won’t go straight into José Mourinho’s first team. The plan is for him to start at Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve side Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde came through. He can’t play in the UEFA Youth League for Madrid this season, because his registration still sits with United.

Is the JJ Gabriel to Real Madrid deal done?

Not officially. United are understood to have been surprised by reports that a deal is imminent, and sources close to the club insist there has been no direct contact with Madrid. But a player who is posing in Madrid with a newspaper front page announcing his signing is not coming back to Carrington.

It hurts United most because of the timing. Their senior side are 17th in the Premier League, and the comeback win over Roma only just ended a nine-game winless run. Losing the academy’s brightest talent for £350,000, while they chase young players like Twente’s 18-year-old elsewhere, makes no sense on paper. Paul Merson, speaking to Sky Sports News, called for the rule to change: “Man United have worked on this kid, made him the player he is.” He’s right. Until it does, United will keep losing their best teenagers for loose change.