Manchester United are expected to lose 16-year-old attacker JJ Gabriel to Real Madrid in January, according to David Ornstein, while Florian Plettenberg reports a verbal agreement in principle. Nothing has been signed, however, and Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain remain on standby for now. According to Football365.com.
Gabriel’s Real Madrid move gathers pace, but nothing is signed yet
David Ornstein has posted on X that the attacker is expected to sign for Real Madrid in January on a long-term contract, subject to FIFA regulations. PSG, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all showed interest, and the Red Devils tried to retain him, but Gabriel chose Real Madrid.
Florian Plettenberg goes further, reporting that Gabriel has reached a “verbal agreement in principle” with Real Madrid. The German reporter stresses that nothing has been signed and that the transfer is being pushed towards completion, which is why Barcelona, Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain are still waiting in the background.
On timing, Plettenberg says the plan is for Gabriel to leave United as early as January, with the move definitely expected to take place in 2027 with an EU passport. It emerged earlier this season that the teenager had decided to leave to continue his development elsewhere, and United had been trying to change his mind.
Fabrizio Romano had already said on Wednesday morning that Real Madrid were leading the race. He added that Gabriel has been in Madrid for several days over recent weeks, training hard to be ready for January, and described Real as “way ahead of the other candidates”.
The competition appears to have thinned considerably. Romano said the player’s agents met several clubs, but Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have different priorities, while Bayern spoke with the agents without advancing. Plettenberg adds that Bayern stayed in contact but emerged as an outside contender, with the financial package and Real cited as partial reasons.
