Real Madrid are reportedly close to signing Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel, although the 16-year-old’s transfer is not yet official and the relevant parties still have to finalise the paperwork.
Gabriel has requested to leave
Gabriel requested to leave Manchester United and cancelled his registration at the club in September. Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have been interested in signing him.
Madrid’s proposed pathway
The Telegraphclaims that Real Madrid have put together a projected fast-track pathway for Gabriel towards the first team. The proposed route includes an initial period in the youth system, a move to Castilla and a later transition to the senior squad.
Contacts around the move
According to TEAMtalk, Jude Bellingham’s representatives reached out to Gabriel’s camp to endorse Real Madrid as the right environment for his development.
Christian Falk wrote that Bayern Munich had been in talks with Gabriel and his entourage, and that Gabriel had previously visited the club’s facilities.
Ødegaard on his own experience
Martin Ødegaard, the future Arsenal captain, said while describing his awkward situation in The Players’ Tribune: “With the B team, I wasn’t with them regularly so I didn’t find that connection. In the first team, I was just some kid who came to train. I wasn’t involved in matches. I felt a bit like an outsider. I was stuck in between.”
