City keeping tabs on Old Trafford contract stand-off
Manchester City are one of several clubs monitoring the situation of Manchester United winger JJ Gabriel, according to reports.
The 15-year-old is seeking to have his contract with United terminated so he can become a free agent. He has handed in a letter of de-registration, though he has not signed a professional contract. All parties must agree to the termination before it can go through, and United still have the final say on his future.
Journalist Laurie Whitwell, writing for The Athletic, claims City would likely be among his suitors should he become available.
Previous chance to sign
Whitwell also reports that Gabriel had the opportunity to sign for City last summer. He opted to remain at Old Trafford instead, after being given certain guarantees about first-team football.
Those guarantees have not materialised. Manager Michael Carrick barely played him in pre-season and omitted him from matchday squads at the beginning of this campaign. That lack of involvement played a part in the player wanting to leave.
Gabriel was set to be included in the squad for the Carabao Cup game against Brighton, but that is now unlikely to happen following this turn of events.
Competition for signature
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also said to be hopeful of securing Gabriel's signature. The teenager is seen as one of the best players in his age group.
United believe they can still change his mind and offer more assurances about his future. For now, the stand-off continues.