Real Madrid reportedly verbally agreeing to sign JJ Gabriel while he is still a registered Manchester United player has led to calls for transfer rule changes
JJ Gabriel is still a Manchester United player, for now(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Paul Merson has called for a change to the rule that makes it easier for JJ Gabriel to leave Manchester United for a club outside England at the age of 16.
Moving to an overseas team as a European Union passport holder is more straightforward, provided FIFA approves it. Real Madrid have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign the teenager.
United are entitled to training compensation after formally offering the youngster a scholarship earlier this year, though the fee is expected to be just £100,000-£300,000. The club is also considering legal action against any European club that signs Gabriel.
Merson told Sky Sports News about Gabriel: “This kid’s a good player, he’s a very good player. He could be a superstar, top player; Man United will be gutted.
“This rule’s got to change…that he’s allowed to go abroad, and that needs to change. Man United have worked on this kid, made him the player he is.
“Obviously, he’d have been gifted at the same time, don’t get me wrong, but this needs to be done. The thing is, he’s going to Real Madrid. Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world; he’s going to the biggest club in the world, the biggest club.
JJ Gabriel has not been at Manchester United since September(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
“There’s not a player in the world who wouldn’t go to Real Madrid. You ask any player who’s playing in the Premier League: if Real Madrid comes for you, you rarely turn Real Madrid down.
“Great opportunity for the kid, but I still think that rule might have to change; otherwise, this is not the first time it’s going to happen. You’ve got to remember, look at Rio Ngumoha; he was at Chelsea two years ago, and he left Chelsea.
“So it happens. It’ll happen all the time, but I think that rule’s gotta change, in my opinion.
Make sure you never miss the latest Manchester United news and opinion by making Manchester Evening News one of your Google preferred sources.
“Give these academies a chance where they’re putting in a lot of hard work, just for someone to go: ‘I’m leaving now’. I ain’t sure if that’s right, leaving by going abroad and playing when he’s been there for a long time.”
Gabriel signed for United aged 11 following previous spells in the youth systems of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham United. The Enfield-born teenager had earlier featured in London grassroots football with Top Ballerz alongside Mathis Eboue, son of Emmanuel, who currently plays for Chelsea.
The player remains registered to United despite a formal notification submitted in September requesting its cancellation.
Get YOUR Man United Newsletter
Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News!
To get it, it’s a simple one-two punch.
Head THIS WAYEnter your email and hit Subscribe.