Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has publicly denied the club has any interest in signing Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, despite reports linking the 15-year-old with a move to Spain. Gabriel informed Manchester United earlier this month of his desire to leave Old Trafford and subsequently travelled to the Spanish city.
Barcelona Denies Interest
Speaking at a news conference, Deco firmly stated, “There’s nothing to say about this boy.” He added, “We are not interested in any player in his situation. I’m not sure what’s happening, and if he’s still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that.” Deco further clarified Barcelona’s position, saying, “To speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business,” according to the BBC.
Gabriel’s Situation at Manchester United
Gabriel, who turns 16 on 6 October, has not trained with United since scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut on 10 September. Tournament rules stipulate he cannot play for any other club in this season’s competition. He is reportedly keen to leave the club before making a first-team appearance for United, having previously had stints with Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Ham before joining in 2022, as reported by the Daily Star. A request from Gabriel to be de-registered at United was turned down.
His prospects of joining a European club are boosted by his potential to obtain an EU passport. His father is a former Republic of Ireland international, and his mother has Greek-Cypriot heritage. This would allow him to bypass restrictions for non-EU citizens playing for first teams of clubs like Barcelona or Bayern until their 18th birthday.
German publication Bild has reported that Gabriel “will definitely leave United,” potentially by next summer at the latest, with a move to a European club, possibly in Spain, being considered. A lack of immediate title prospects is cited as a significant factor in his decision-making.
Reported Interest from Other European Giants
Despite Barcelona’s denial, other major European clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris St-Germain are among those reportedly keen on securing Gabriel’s signature. This speculation highlights the ongoing scrutiny around the young player’s future. For more background on his requested exit, readers can review JJ Gabriel requests Man Utd exit: What next for star?
Michael Carrick’s Comments
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick recently urged caution regarding the intense focus on the teenager. Last week, Carrick called for people to be “careful and sensible” about the amount of exposure and scrutiny given to Gabriel.
The situation around young talents like Gabriel is a common topic in football, as seen in discussions around Jason Wilcox’s Manchester United Role Under Scrutiny, which often involves player pathways and development.