A 15-year-old Manchester United academy prospect has asked to leave the club and become a free agent. JJ Gabriel's request has alerted a host of Europe's leading clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Chelsea are also monitoring the situation. The Athletic first reported the youngster's desire to depart. Gabriel is yet to sign a professional contract with United, which would complicate any potential transfer fee.
Manchester United have not commented publicly on the matter. The club's academy has produced several first-team players in recent years, but this development represents a potential setback in retaining top youth talent. The request comes during a challenging period for the senior side, who sit 13th in the Premier League with four points from four games.
Erik ten Hag's team are eight points behind leaders Arsenal and are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester City last weekend. Their next challenge is a trip to face Fulham, who are 18th, on 20 September. Fans can track the team's progress on the club's fixtures page.
While the immediate focus is on the first team's form, the potential loss of a highly-rated youngster is a concern for the long-term project. The club's recruitment and academy staff will now face a decision on how to proceed with Gabriel's future.
