Real Madrid are close to signing Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, The Guardian reported on Wednesday. The Spanish club have offered the 16-year-old forward a multi-year contract. Subject to final talks, Madrid hope to bring him to the Bernabeu in January.
Gabriel is registered with United's academy until the end of the season. According to The Guardian, United have not yet been contacted by the player's camp or by Madrid about the move. The club will consider legal action if they believe any rules have been broken.
Madrid plan to use a Fifa loophole. It allows clubs in the EU to sign young players on professional contracts if the players hold an EU passport. Gabriel is eligible for one through both of his parents. Fifa would have to approve the deal, and United are on alert for any breach of the rules.
United would be owed a compensation fee if Gabriel joined Madrid or any other club. Madrid have been approached for comment, The Guardian said.
Gabriel walked out on United in September and is believed to be training in Spain. A move to Madrid could open a path to senior football through their B team, Castilla. Castilla play in the regionalised Spanish third tier.
The forward played for United in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm in August, aged 15. He had been training with the first team. Had he not told United he wanted to leave, he would have been in Michael Carrick's squad on September 16. That night United lost to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round. Playing in that game would have made him the youngest player in the club's history.
Last season Gabriel became the youngest winner of United's academy player of the year award. He was also named the Premier League's under-18 player of the season.