Real Madrid is very close to signing one of the most talked-about talents of his generation, with 16-year-old J.J. Gabriel having already settled in the Spanish capital and awaiting the completion of the formalities for his transfer from Manchester United.
The young Englishman is already training in Madrid, following a double daily training regimen. In the morning, he works out individually on the field under the supervision of a personal trainer, and in the afternoon he continues at the gym, effectively distancing himself from the daily routine of the United academy.
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Although he remains registered with the “Red Devils” as a soccer player, the path he has chosen for his future is clear.
In fact, when asked whether he prefers Madrid or Barcelona, his answer was immediate: “Obviously Madrid.”
Even more interesting was his comment on his personal ambitions.
“My dream is to win the Ballon d’Or,” said the 16-year-old, already showing just how high he’s setting the bar for his career.
Standing beside him is his father, Joe O’Shea, a former soccer player who plays an active role in guiding his son, while Ali Barrat has taken over as his agent in recent weeks.
The player’s camp is currently working on two fronts: finalizing the terms of the agreement with Real Madrid and arranging for the family’s permanent relocation to the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid’s plan is for Gabriel to initially join Real Madrid Castilla, the final step before the first team—a path previously taken by players such as Vinícius and Federico Valverde.
There are, however, procedural issues delaying the formalization of the transfer.
Gabriel remains registered with Manchester United and therefore will not be able to play for Real Madrid in the Youth League during the current season. This is the competition in which he made an impressive debut by scoring a hat trick.
His Irish passport also plays a key role in this matter. International transfers of soccer players under the age of 18 are generally prohibited, but there is an exception for players aged 16–18 who hold citizenship of a European Union country and are moving within the European Union.
The first opportunity for his official registration with his new team will arise during the January winter transfer window, which explains why it may still take some time to finalize the deal.
Manchester United, for its part, tried to retain one of the top products of its academy. It reportedly offered him a new contract, and even access to a suite at the future Old Trafford, but these offers failed to change his mind.
If his transfer to Real Madrid goes through, the training compensation owed to United is estimated to be around 350,000 pounds.
*photo source: jjnr10._
