Mauricio Pochettino is one gaffer who is known to mould young footballing talents into sharp weapons on the field. Numerous prodigies have developed into world-class footballers under his tutelage, and the story is expected to be the same when he starts a fresh chapter with Manchester United.
JJ Gabriel is arguably the most exciting talent at Manchester United currently, and his transfer situation has been a cause for concern for the fans. Pochettino's profile was an aspect that many thought would prompt JJ Gabriel to rethink his decision to leave United.
However, a new report has now claimed that Gabriel will soon join Real Madrid Castilla's ranks, as the Spanish giants are now within touching distance of signing a deal with the 15-year-old forward. He will end the season with the academy side in the Spanish capital before getting to train with the senior side from next year, the report said.
Ever since it was confirmed that Gabriel was unsettled in Manchester, Real Madrid have featured among the favourites to lure him away. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester City were the other sides that were said to be trying to convince him to make the switch.
Later reports claimed that Los Blancos had been in conversation with Gabriel's camp for some time, and the whole operation was secretive given the complications involved in signing an underage talent. Only a few people within the Los Blancos set-up knew about the potential move. "...The Spanish club have taken particular care and exercised great caution, following sanctions imposed on several European teams years ago, and FIFA rules governing transfers involving players under the age of 18," The Athletic said in a report.
As it turns out, these reports were true, and the teenage sensation is satisfied with the project offered by the La Liga side. Real Madrid plan to offer him regular training hours with the senior team by employing the same formula they created with former Racing Santander player Sergio Martínez, Managing Madrid said.
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However, there was no timeline given for the possible move, which may come as a major disappointment for the Red Devils.
Who is JJ Gabriel?
Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, better known as JJ Gabriel, is of Irish and Cypriot descent and garnered the attention of the world when a YouTube video of him on the ball went viral on the internet. He was nine years old when the channel SV2 uploaded his video—highlighting his exceptional ball control and dribbling skills. This has earned him the nickname "Kid Messi" ever since.
Apart from being a fox in the box for the Manchester United U-18s, the youngster is effective as a right-winger as well. The 2010-born attacker was rated last year by some experts as the best talent the United academy has ever seen.
