Man Utd lose 16-year-old JJ Gabriel to Real Madrid — Paul Merson says club 'gutted'
Manchester United will be "gutted" to lose 16-year-old JJ Gabriel to Real Madrid, says Arsenal legend Paul Merson. The teenager reached a verbal agreement to join the Spanish giants in January after departing Old Trafford earlier this season.
Gabriel was expected to become United's youngest-ever Carabao Cup player in September, but the club delayed his first-team introduction. His representatives promptly moved him out, and Real Madrid secured a verbal deal for the January transfer window.
"This kid's a good player — a very good player. He could have been a superstar," Merson told Sky Sports. "Manchester United have worked on this kid and now he's going to Real Madrid. I think this rule's got to change."
The move highlights how top European clubs can poach academy talent before they sign professional terms. United invested years in Gabriel's development only to see him leave for a rival elite club.
Gabriel's nationality wasn't specified in the report. The verbal agreement means the transfer isn't finalized until January.