Old Trafford was left in disbelief when JJ Gabriel made his way to the club's offices in mid-September and requested his release. The whole of Europe immediately sat up and took notice, because this is, after all, one of the most talented players of his generation. Europe's biggest clubs were quick to make their interest known, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. But Real Madrid are the biggest of them all, and it is the Spanish giants who look set to become the new home of the 16-year-old wonderkid.🚨⏳ BREAKING | Understand JJ Gabriel has reached a verbal agreement in principle with Real Madrid. As reported, Real were the favourites. The transfer is now being pushed towards completion. Nothing has been signed yet. That’s why Barcelona, FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain remain on standby. The plan is for the 16 y/o gem to leave ManUtd as early as January. The move is definitely expected to take place in 2027, with an EU passport. #MUFC Bayern remained in contact but emerged as an outside contender, partly due to the financial package and Real. @SkySportDE 🏴— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 4, 2026 According to Spanish media, Gabriel is already training with Los Blancos, with only a few minor details left to iron out before he signs. Barcelona, who remained in the race until the very last moment, have realised what is happening and pulled out of the deal.All that remains now is to wait for Gabriel to officially don the colours of the 15-time Champions League winners and show in practice why he has been hailed as the next big thing in England. United stun Roma with incredible comeback, Cunha is the hero!In many ways, Gabriel is reminiscent of Martin Odegaard, whom Madrid paid €4,000,000 for when he was just 15, though the Norwegian had to turn 16 before he could actually move to Spain. His spell at Santiago Bernabeu ultimately failed to live up to expectations, and he only truly proved his class after moving first to Real Sociedad and then to Arsenal.Gabriel is already 16 and boasts a CV that shows just how far ahead of his peers he is. From on-field mishap to memorable moment: Tchouameni meets boy he accidentally hit (VIDEO)Last season, he scored 23 goals in 23 league appearances for Manchester United's Under-18s. This season, he has already netted five times in three games, including a hat-trick against Sabah Baku in the UEFA Youth League. And just when everyone expected him to start gradually getting opportunities in United's first team, Gabriel decided to up sticks and try his luck abroad.Real Madrid can hardly wait for talents like him to come along.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEMatchday 4TuesdayGalatasaray – Stuttgart 2-0 (2-0)/Batrakov 12, 15/Shakhtar Donetsk – Sporting Lisbon 0-1 (0-0)/Doumbia 59/Atletico Madrid – Bayern Munich 0-2 (0-0)/Karl 54, Laimer 74/Barcelona – Aston Villa 3-0 (1-0)/Yamal 7, Raphinha 52, 64/Bodo/Glimt – Lille 0-0Feyenoord – Inter Milan 0-3 (0-2)/Bisseck 8, Esposito 34, Zielinski 54/LASK – Slovan Bratislava 4-0 (3-0)/Molgaard Jorgensen 19, 37, Ljubicic 44, Adeniran 48/Manchester United – Roma 3-2 (0-2)/Fernandes 58 pen, Cunha 83, 86 – Soule 11, Malen 17 pen/Villarreal – PSG 0-6 (0-4)/Neves 9, Doue 12, Mayulu 13, Ruiz 17, 50, Boly 78/Wednesday20.45: (12.0) AEK Athens (7.50) Real Madrid (1.22)20.45: (5.40) Fenerbahce (5.00) Liverpool (1.52)23.00: (1.70) Borussia Dortmund (4.20) Real Betis (4.30)23.00: (3.00) Lens (4.00) Como (2.15)23.00: (2.10) PSV (4.20) Club Brugge (2.95)23.00: (1.97) Porto (3.80) Napoli (3.50)23.00: (4.90) RB Leipzig (5.20) Manchester City (1.57)23.00: (11.0) Slavia Prague (6.25) Arsenal (1.25)23.00: (1.42) Viking (5.00) Sabah Baku (6.25)***odds are subject to change***
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