Could Arsenal or Chelsea sign JJ Gabriel? Race on for 'Kid Messi' after Man Utd exit bombshell | OneFootball

15-year-old sensation has rocked Old Trafford with shock exit demand

JJ Gabriel is pushing to leave Manchester United after a bombshell update on the future of one of football’s brightest young talents.

The news first broke on Tuesday that Gabriel wanted to exit Old Trafford and is seeking his registration with the club to be cancelled with immediate effect.

Such a shock demand came before the player was expected to potentially make his senior competitive debut for Man Utd aged just 15 in the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton on Wednesday night.

Attention has now quickly turned to which club Gabriel could join next, with the race on to secure the services of arguably the most exciting teenager in the English game who has long since been a viral sensation dubbed as ‘Kid Messi’.

Standard Sport understands that he does not have a preferred destination lined up yet, though most clubs in Europe would surely happily welcome him with open arms.

Arsenal

Arsenal were among the many clubs interested in signing Gabriel last year, before he ultimately opted to stay at Manchester United.

If the 15-year-old does now become available, Arsenal would be expected to explore the situation and it is easy to imagine what their pitch to the teenager and his family would be.

The club would point to the pathway from the Hale End academy through to the first team, a journey made by the likes of Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal would also use Max Dowman as an example of the trust they place in their best young talent, regardless of age.

Dowman played in the Champions League as a 15-year-old and has already made six Premier League appearances.

Those chances would surely appeal to Gabriel, who might also look at Arsenal's ongoing desire to sign a left winger and think there is an opportunity to force his way into Mikel Arteta's plans in the seasons ahead.

Transfer bombshell: JJ Gabriel wants to leave Manchester United

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Chelsea

Chelsea may have veered away from their aggressive youth-led recruitment strategy this summer, but they would almost certainly be open to signing Gabriel if he left Manchester United.

The 15-year-old is considered a generational talent, and for Chelsea, it would surely constitute a market opportunity too good to turn down.

Gabriel, who was born in London, spent time at Chelsea’s academy and the Blues are said to be considering a move to bring him back to the club.

Chelsea, though, are in a tricky position as they are unable to register any academy players signed from Premier League or EFL clubs until December.

Chelsea are currently serving a nine-month ban that prevents them from signing academy players after breaching the Premier League’s rules in relation to financial reporting, third-party investment and youth development.

Manchester City

Like Arsenal, Manchester City are believed to have tried to sign Gabriel last year and would surely be interested in quickly reigniting that interest if he became available.

It would be quite the victory to score over their rivals, who have raided City for a few talented youngsters in recent years including Darren Fletcher’s twin sons, Jack and Tyler, plus the likes of David Eze and Karim Cassim.

Harrison Parker is among the teenagers to have headed in the opposite direction across Manchester.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG

If Gabriel were to spring a shock and move outside the Premier League, he would almost certainly have the pick of all the top clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

The fact that Gabriel reportedly holds or is at least eligible for an Irish passport - his father Joe O'Cearuill, once on Arsenal’s books, is a former Republic of Ireland international - would appear to make such a switch far easier to complete, taking advantage of a potential loophole that could reportedly see him depart early and even limit the amount of compensation owed to United.

The Manchester Evening News (MEN) report that Barcelona have “pushed the boat out” in a bid to impress Gabriel and his family, while transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: “Real Madrid is a club we have to take in consideration. Barcelona is a club we have to take in consideration. Paris and Bayern made some calls.

“I would keep close eye to Spain. It’s a very open situation.”

Top talent: JJ Gabriel recently scored a hat-trick on his debut in the UEFA Youth League

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Manchester United

There is always the possibility of course that Gabriel could work out his differences with United, who are understood to have been stunned by his exit demand and unsure as to the reasons behind it.

Standard Sport understands that they consider the situation to be rectifiable given the time remaining on his contract, with suggestions that he cannot be de-registered and so will remain at the club at least until the end of the season.

Gabriel is unable to sign a professional contract with any club until he turns 17 in October 2027. He will only eligible to pen scholarship terms when he turns 16 next month.

United - who had been intending to include Gabriel in their squad to face Brighton - will be desperate to find a resolution that sees a player widely regarded as potentially the best 15-year-old footballer in Europe to stay put for the long-term.