Young striker J J Gabriel has informed Manchester United of his firm desire to depart the club.
His agent, Ali Barat, recently received official clearance from the FA to work with minor footballers. The player's representative is already gearing up for negotiations with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Gabriel will turn 16 on October 6, and his contract runs until the end of the current season. However, he is demanding an early cancellation of his registration with the Red Devils.
The final straw for the youngster came when he was left off the first-team Champions League list. On the same evening, he scored a hat-trick for the U21 side in a UEFA Youth League match against Sabah.
Manchester United’s hierarchy attempted to smooth over the situation, promising him a debut in the League Cup against Brighton, where Gabriel could become the club’s youngest-ever player. However, this offer arrived too late.
Barcelona have ruled out signing the talent, with sporting director Deco stating:
We are not interested in players in such situations. I don't know the details of what is happening or whether he is still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in this.
