Real Madrid ‘very confident’ of signing 15-year-old Manchester United wonderkid – report | OneFootball

One of the hottest transfer topics in the past week has been the developments surrounding Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel.

Days before he was set to receive a call-up to the Red Devils’ first-team squad for the Carabao Cup game against Brighton, he dropped a bombshell by asking to leave.

Subsequently, it emerged that Real Madrid had been working behind the scenes to bring the Englishman to the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to journalist Mario Cortegana, Los Blancos are now “very confident” that they will sign the 15-year-old striker.

It is the strongest indication yet that Madrid believe their long-running work on the English prospect can produce the desired outcome.

Madrid confidence growing

The 2010-born forward has long been heralded as one of Manchester United’s biggest academy talents in recent times.

JJ Gabriel is considered one of the biggest talents in Europe. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Madrid’s interest is not just about adding a talented prospect to their ranks, but rather bringing in a future first-team player ahead of the curve.

The Spanish club are bullish about the teenager’s potential and are moving aggressively to sign Gabriel from the English club.

A complicated deal because of his age

There are still important obstacles before the deal turns into a permanent transfer.

Gabriel’s age makes the operation particularly sensitive because international transfers involving minors are governed by strict FIFA regulations.

Madrid are well aware of those restrictions and have approached the situation cautiously. It is one of the main reasons they have kept things under wraps.

The eventual plan would be for Gabriel to develop with Castilla while also being eligible to feature in the UEFA Youth League.

The teenager is already attracting attention with his performances for United, strengthening Madrid’s belief that they are pursuing a player with an unusually high ceiling.

Real Madrid will be signing a truly special player if they secure Gabriel’s signature. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Real Madrid and the rest of the world see something special

Madrid are not the only club interested in JJ Gabriel, with clubs like Barcelona and others in England also keeping an eye on his situation.

If there is one advantage for Los Blancos, it is that they have worked on a deal for quite some time now and could be ahead in the race.

There is still a considerable distance between being confident of a future signing and actually completing all the necessary steps, especially with a player this young.

If the operation eventually goes through, Madrid would be signing a player the entire world considers truly special, and it remains to be seen how the negotiations play out.