Real Madrid are on the verge of beating Barcelona and other European giants to the signature of Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, sources have told ESPN.
The Spanish club have long felt they held the upper hand in the chase, and their confidence has only increased in recent hours. The 16-year-old, who had been training in Barcelona with a personal trainer while his future was sorted, is now in Madrid.
Gabriel and his representatives asked to leave United in September. The Premier League club insisted at the time they would not help facilitate a departure, but major clubs including Madrid and Barcelona continued to monitor the situation closely.
United sources believe Gabriel’s camp held at least one meeting with an unnamed club last summer without the club’s knowledge. The Red Devils are prepared to explore legal action if they conclude illegal approaches were made while the player was still under contract at Old Trafford.
Madrid stepped up talks once Gabriel turned 16 on October 6 and now appear close to securing his signature. The plan is for him to join the club’s second team, Castilla, while also featuring in the UEFA Youth League.