Man Utd could face another JJ Gabriel blow if he snubs Man City or Arsenal moves

Manchester United could inadvertently be dealt another blow by JJ Gabriel if the 15-year-old follows through with his threat to leave the club.

The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Gabriel and his entourage had requested to cancel his registration at Old Trafford, having been dissatisfied with his development and lack of first team opportunities.

Gabriel could be free to join a club in Europe once he turns 16 - Brexit rules state the standard minimum age requirement is 18 - due to a dual nationality loophole. His father, former Arsenal and Brighton defender Joe O'Cearuill, played for the Republic of Ireland, while his mother is Greek Cypriot. But his choice of club will determine how much United receive in compensation.

READ MORE: JJ Gabriel's father played for two Premier League clubs amid Man Utd exit rumours

How JJ Gabriel's next club decision impacts Man Utd

It has been reported that United remain hopeful that they can convince Gabriel to stay despite his apparent clear desire to walk out of the club. He was said to be due to receive his first start in United's 3-2 Carabao Cup third round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday, but was left out of the squad.

Gabriel currently cannot play Premier League football but that will change on October 6, once he turns 16.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are banned from signing him until December because of a nine-month ban on registering youth players - a punishment handed down in March due to rule breaches under Roman Abramovich's ownership between 2019 and 2022. But Manchester City and Arsenal are among the clubs believed to hold an interest in Gabriel.

Their interest, in particular, gives United another headache. The Daily Mail report that, if Gabriel decides to snub both clubs and decides instead to move to Europe, United would be in line for a lower amount of training compensation fee than they would if he stayed in England.

It is claimed that, should Gabriel decide to move abroad amid interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, United would only receive around £300,000 in training compensation.

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What is training compensation?

As per FIFA's regulations, training compensation is paid to a player's training club when they sign their first professional contract with a club. Gabriel can agree a scholarship deal once he turns 16 but cannot turn professional until the age of 17.

Training compensation is due regardless of whether a player stays in their current association or transfers abroad, and must be paid each time a player is transferred internationally until the end of the calendar year of their 23rd birthday.

FIFA calculate training compensation based on the costs of training and educating players in the country where the new club is located.

It is unknown as to how much United would receive if Gabriel moves to another English club. Liverpool were taken to a tribunal after signing Harvey Elliott from Fulham in 2019 and were ordered to pay the Cottagers a fee that could have reached £4 million. Fulham also received a reported 20 per cent sell-on clause.