Real Madrid lead race to sign Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel
On 17 September 2026, Real Madrid are reported to be leading the race to sign Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old told the Premier League club he wants to cancel his registration, a development revealed ahead of United's Carabao Cup tie against Brighton. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also named among clubs that have shown interest in the winger.
Gabriel has attracted attention across Europe as his reputation has grown through academy performances. Barcelona have been keen to acquire him and Bayern Munich are known to admire the winger. It is understood Gabriel prefers a move to Europe and that having an Irish passport would enable such a transfer.
Some figures at Manchester United were surprised by Gabriel’s decision and believed he might not sign a professional contract as other clubs circled. The club, however, still feel they may be able to rectify the matter. United have developed Gabriel since he joined the club at 11.
A move to Real Madrid is presented in reports as offering the prospect of accelerated progression to senior football via their B team, Castilla. Castilla play in the regionalised Spanish third tier. That pathway is cited as part of Real Madrid’s appeal for young prospects.
Had Gabriel not informed United of his desire to leave, he would have been called up by Michael Carrick for the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday. If he had played he would have become the youngest player in the club’s history. “I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation,” Carrick said of Gabriel after the defeat by Brighton. “He’s a young boy. He’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players – their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure – we’ve got to be really conscious of that in this situation.”
Gabriel featured in a pre-season friendly against Atlético Madrid in Stockholm and has regularly trained with the first-team recently. He would be eligible to sign as a scholar when he turns 16 next month and as a professional a year later.