JJ Gabriel, 15, travels to Barcelona after telling Man United he wants to cancel registration

JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old Manchester United academy forward, travelled to Barcelona on Thursday amid speculation over his future after telling United he wants to cancel his registration, BBC Sport reported. The move comes as several major European clubs continue to pursue the teenager.

Real Madrid are reported to have a firm interest in Gabriel, with Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Barcelona also known to be keen. It is understood Gabriel left the UK on Thursday, travelled to France and is now in Barcelona.

If Manchester United retain Gabriel's registration, he would be prevented from moving to another English club until the end of the season. That restriction would not apply to transfers to clubs outside England unless other eligibility conditions intervene.

Gabriel has not trained with United since scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut on 10 September. Tournament rules mean he cannot play for a club other than Manchester United in this season's competition.

Sources close to Gabriel were furious that United did not register him for their Champions League opener with Sabah FK, a match Michael Carrick's side won 4-0. Those close to the player expressed their displeasure at the club's decision on the registration.

United manager Michael Carrick was asked about Gabriel at his news conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Fulham and said: "He's a young boy, JJ, and I think it's important we don't play anything out here," he said. "With the exposure and scrutiny and everything, you got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything. "The situation will work itself out, whatever way it's going to work itself out. Making sure he's OK is the important thing."

Gabriel scored in his first two Premier League 2 outings for United this season but will not be involved against Brentford at Leigh Sports Village on Friday.

Gabriel could become eligible to join a club in the European Union when he turns 16 on 6 October if he obtains an EU passport through his father, a former Republic of Ireland international, or through his mother, who has Greek-Cypriot heritage.