Manchester United have been handed a boost in their efforts to keep JJ Gabriel at the club amid rumours linking the starlet to Barcelona.
JJ Gabriel has become Manchester United’s most talked-about Academy prospect since Paul Pogba and, more recently, Kobbie Mainoo, whose emergence has been a rare bright spot during a difficult period for the club.
The attention is fully deserved. Gabriel’s form has been nothing short of sensational, scoring ten goals in ten games for the U18s.
His direct, driving runs through defensive lines are almost impossible to contain. This was evident more than ever when United visited Liverpool’s U18s. The hosts were torn apart in a 7–0 thrashing last Saturday, with Gabriel netting a hat-trick.
However, rumours have emerged in recent days suggesting that Barcelona are making a concerted effort to sign the player once he turns 16.
United doing everything they can to keep Gabriel, says Romano
Following news from England that Barcelona were pushing to secure the teen sensation, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has updated his YouTube channel subscribers on the situation.
Romano explained that it’s “not just about Barcelona” and that “several top clubs around Europe” are following and showing strong interest in JJ Gabriel, including a big but unnamed English club last summer.
However, United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, “was able to change the story” by convincing the player to stay at Manchester United and “trust the project.”
United are now “doing their best to keep the player,” viewing him as “something really special,” with occasional first-team training already underway and plans to include him “as part of the first team in the future.”
Barcelona are “not in a more advanced position than any other club,” with United actively fighting to keep the English youth talent long-term.
Gabriel keeping tight with United’s Academy with Amorim watching
Despite all the recent rumours linking the player away from Carrington across the last 12 months, the fact that he and his family committed themselves to United last summer is a significant source of confidence.
Beyond this, MailSport’s Nathan Salt, one of the very best when it comes to covering United’s Academy, pointed out that Gabriel has also been spotted watching age groups beyond his U18s, such as the U21s recent Premier League International Cup fixture against Anderlecht.
“JJ Gabriel and his family were in attendance at Leigh Sports Village last night to watch the U21s in the Premier League International Cup,” Salt commented on X. “Didn’t look like a player rushing to the exit door to me”.
Gabriel has been taking part in several senior team training sessions this season, and Amorim is known to be keeping a keen eye on the talented forward. There is a chance he could make his senior debut in the FA Cup this season, despite being just 15.
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