At just 15 years old, JJ Gabriel is already one of the most followed names in English football. Considered one of the biggest promises to come out of the Red Devils academy in recent years, the young striker, native of Enfield, continues to arouse envy. Recently, his name has been mentioned by Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich but especially Paris Saint-Germain, renowned for its desire to attract the future talents of tomorrow. Closely scrutinized by recruiters, the kid from Manchester remains, however, a profile little known to the general public. Born on October 6, 2010, JJ Gabriel joined Manchester United at the age of 11 after attending the training centers of Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham.
Very early on, his talent attracted attention. Nicknamed “Kid Messi”he made himself known in particular on social networks before confirming his qualities on the youth fields. And last season, Gabriel really changed dimensions. With Manchester United U18s, he scored 23 goals in 23 U18 Premier League matches and was voted player of the season. A few months later, he distinguished himself again in the Youth League by scoring a hat-trick in his first match in the competition against Sabah FC. A right-handed attacker capable of playing in several offensive positions, the young Englishman stands out for his ability to eliminate, his technical quality and his efficiency in the area. His potential is such that he was regularly included in the training of the professional group by Michael Carrick during the summer preparation.
A coming standoff with the Red Devils?
However, despite this meteoric rise, Gabriel has still not played a single official meeting with the first team. A situation which would have contributed to his desire to leave Manchester United. While his family would especially like him to be able to learn from the best, the player, for his part, would have sent a request to cancel his registration to the Mancunian management. Be wary, however, because if the rules of the English championship authorize termination of the contract, this must be bilateral and therefore requires the prior agreement of Manchester United. Ultimately, his future could well be decided on October 6, the date of his 16th birthday.
The reason? With family ties allowing him to be eligible for Irish nationality, Gabriel could have an opportunity to join a club in the European Union despite restrictions which complicate international transfers of minors from England. In this context, PSG is carefully monitoring the situation. The Parisian club is, in fact, one of the European teams cited among the suitors for the young Mancunian, alongside Real Madrid, Barça and Bayern Munich in particular. For Paris, the operation would ultimately be part of the logic of recruiting young talents with very high potential, but the matter is still far from being resolved since Manchester United does not intend to easily give up its jewel. One thing is certain, a few days before his 16th birthday, JJ Gabriel finds himself at the center of a battle which could become one of the most followed issues in youth football this fall.
