JJ Gabriel's future takes unexpected twist as Man Utd starlet's preferred destination revealed

JJ Gabriel has a 'special predilection' for Barcelona after expressing his desire to leave Manchester United, but according to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have one clear 'advantage' in the race.

Gabriel's representatives held talks with Barca on Friday (September 18) after the 15-year-old requested to cancel his registration with the club.

The teenager, dubbed 'Kid Messi', has also attracted interest from European giants Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich after it was revealed that the 'decline of Manchester United' since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson was the 'driving force' behind his desire to leave.

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How Real Madrid can beat Barcelona to JJ Gabriel's signature

Gabriel, who cannot sign a scholarship until he turns 16 on October 6, would also have to wait until his 17th birthday before signing a professional deal.

United have reportedly already rejected his request, and a child’s registration can only be cancelled if all three parties involved – the club, player and parent/carer – agree.

Premier League rules state: “If the parties don’t agree, then any person involved can also ask the Premier League to provide a binding decision on a termination request.”

Regardless of Man United's stance on keeping the teenager, SPORT states that Gabriel has ‘no intention’ of signing a new contract while the club have ‘accepted’ that there is ‘no going back’.

The report even claims that the United starlet sees a switch to LaLiga as his preferred destination. They explain: 'The young soccer player understands that the Spanish League is optimal to develop his qualities to the maximum and that the two great representatives of LaLiga are an ideal platform to grow and consolidate in the elite in the not too distant future.'

That stance potentially rules out a switch to either PSG or Bayern, with Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid set to battle for his services, though there is a clear reason Real have the 'advantage' in their pursuit.

Although Gabriel has a 'special predilection' for Barcelona, Los Blancos are in a position to 'make economic offers above those raised in Camp Nou', meaning they could realistically beat their rivals to the player's signature.

Widely regarded as one of the most talented teenagers in world football, Gabriel won Manchester United's prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award after scoring 23 goals in the under-18 Premier League last term, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 win against Liverpool.

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Wayne Rooney's comments on JJ Gabriel are telling

Wayne Rooney has watched Gabriel grow up in Manchester United's academy with his son, Kai, regularly featuring alongside the teenager in the club's underage groups.

But even he "knew it was coming" that he would want to leave Old Trafford prematurely, telling Stick To Football on Disney+: "I have seen JJ grow up, he has been in [my son] Kai's team.

"Anyone close to it knew that was coming.

"In fairness to Manchester United they have done everything, absolutely everything, to keep him at the club.

"The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special player. I know, I recognise that, because I was that player at Everton. I was getting that treatment at Everton.

"As a club, you need to do [it] to try to keep the better players.

"It's disappointing because he is such a top player and a lovely kid."

At first, it was felt that not featuring in the first team was the reason why Gabriel wants to leave, but it has since been revealed that the club's decline is the driving force behind this stance.