Real Madrid rejoin JJ Gabriel transfer race with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG all after wantaway Man Utd kid

REAL MADRID have rejoined the race to prise JJ Gabriel from Manchester United. Euro giants Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also working on deals to sign the 15-year-old winger. JJ Gabriel has been targeted by major European clubs for years Credit: Getty Real Madrid have scouted Gabriel and are in a race with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG Credit: Shutterstock Editorial United bosses were left stunned after Gabriel, the most celebrated academy player at United since Ryan Giggs, asked to leave the club ahead of his 16th birthday next month. SunSport understands that a major factor behind handing in his letter of de-registration is Gabriel’s limited minutes in pre-season. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! The most talented teen in the country played just 13 minutes, including five minutes of stoppage time, in the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Stockholm. Gabriel’s relatives hoped the teen would break into Michael Carrick‘s side this season and make a first team debut. Under Prem rules, Gabriel was too young to appear last term. Ironically, Gabriel was set to be included in tonight’s squad to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford, in a move that would see him become United’s youngest ever player, breaking a 70-year record set by David Gaskell in 1956. Madrid have scouted Gabriel, who is 5ft 7 and still developing. He scored a stunning hat-trick in United’s 5-0 Youth League win over Sabah last Thursday. United have not yet given up hope of resolving the situation and are investigating whether they can stop his exit once he turns 16 on October 6. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are directly involved in talks with the family. Most read in Sport His contract runs until next summer, but as he is neither a scholar nor part of United’s full-time model due to being homeschooled, he could technically leave in 21 days due to his Irish passport. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are directly involved in talks with the family Credit: Getty His passport allows him to move to a foreign club two years earlier than he could if he were solely English. Brexit rules mean players must be 18 to join a team in Europe, unless they are a dual national with a EU country. Gabriel’s father Joe O’Cearuill won two caps for the Republic of Ireland, while his mother has Cypriot heritage. Spain has been a long-term dream destination for Gabriel and his family, but Arsenal and Chelsea are also linked. Rivals City have been interested in the past but SunSport understands that they do not hold out hope of signing him currently. Gabriel failed to impress City in the Youth Cup final defeat against a physically dominant Under-18 group, who also pipped United to the league. Gabriel starred for United’s Under-19s in the Uefa Youth League Credit: Getty United would only be entitled to training compensation, expected to be around £300,000. Premier League rules state: “During your child’s registration period, their registration may only be cancelled if everyone agrees (the club, player and their parent/carer). “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. Gabriel was in line to sign a first-year scholarship at 16, which would have automatically triggered a lucrative pro contract on his 17th birthday. Gabriel, who is from Enfield and joined United at 11 years old, did not report to training on Saturday and has not trained with the first team this week. He was included in the pre-season camp that travelled to Dublin, but was an unused sub against Leeds United. Carrick changed 10 of the starting XI against Daniel Farke’s side, including giving new signing Tynan Thompson, 18, the full second half on the left wing. There is an argument that Carrick had not seen Thompson play yet. The Champions League tie at home against Sabah last Thursday was a huge opportunity for a first-team debut but Gabriel was not included in United’s A-list for Uefa, which runs to 25 players. He was too young for the B-list, which enables an unlimited number of academy players aged 16 or over to be selected. Shea Lacey and Harry Amass, both 19, made their European debuts as subs in United’s 4-0 win. Arsenal‘s Max Dowman was included in Mikel Arteta‘s A-list squad and when he was 15 years old at the start of last season, appearing as a sub in a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague. The Gunners have a much stronger squad, but midfielder Dowman was physically bigger than Gabriel is now. Ethan Nwaneri was handed a Prem debut at 15 years old. Max Dowman put in a thrilling performance in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night Credit: Getty Dowman shone with two goals in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town on Tuesday night – but Arteta warned they cannot rush his development after 13 Prem appearances last term. Gabriel was given a squad number this season, having been the youngest recipient of the Jimmy Murphy Award for the club’s Under-18 players, and United are willing to compete on any financial demands. United are trying to re-establish themselves as a leading destination for the best young players. They are expected to complete the signing of 16-year-olds David Eze and Karim Cassim from City and another 16-year-old Isaac Konde from Liverpool this week Comment now