Real Madrid reach verbal agreement with Man Utd teen star JJ Gabriel

Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with the 16-year-old academy prospect over personal terms; no club-to-club contact yet but a move is targeted for January.

Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Manchester United academy prospect JJ Gabriel over a potential move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Gabriel, 16, requested to leave United in September and has not trained with the club since, attracting interest from Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich. Real Madrid are positioning themselves to sign him in the January transfer window. Sky Sports News understands there has been no formal club-to-club contact as of yet. Gabriel qualifies for a European passport through both parents, which allows Real Madrid to tie him down to a professional contract under FIFA rules. Manchester United indicated in October they would consider legal action if the move materialises, though this is not understood to be a concern for Gabriel's camp.