JJ Gabriel set for Real Madrid move after choosing the Spanish giants

Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has reportedly chosen Real Madrid as the next destination in his career, with the Spanish giants closing in on a potential deal for the highly-rated 16-year-old.

According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Gabriel is currently in Madrid while the remaining details of a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu are being discussed. Barcelona had also been strongly interested in the forward, but the Catalan club are now reportedly out of the race. Real Madrid have made the most progress in their pursuit, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also previously linked with the teenager.

Gabriel asked to leave Manchester United in September and has not trained with the club since. His representatives were reportedly unhappy with the opportunities available to him in the first team, despite the youngster having trained with the senior squad and featured in a pre-season friendly.

A move to Madrid could take place in January, although the transfer has not yet been officially confirmed. Sky Sports reports that Real have reached a verbal agreement with the player, but there has been no club-to-club contact with Manchester United so far. The English club could therefore still play an important role in determining how the situation develops.