Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel is targeting future Ballon d’Or success and has hinted at an imminent move to Real Madrid.The 16-year-old forward recently signalled his intention to leave Manchester United by handing in a shock transfer request.Gabriel was said to be unhappy with his lack of game time at UnitedGettyA host of clubs have reportedly shown an interest in the starlet with talkSPORT reporting earlier this week that Real Madrid were leading the chase for his signature.Gabriel appeared to drop his biggest hint yet regarding possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu by giving an exclusive interview to Spanish outlet Marca.The youngster has not trained at United’s Carrington Training Centre since September and has instead spent his time training in Madrid. In the interview with Marca, Gabriel discussed his favourite club between La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona while discussing his future objectives.Pressed on what his preferred club is, Gabriel replied: “Obviously Madrid” – to the amusement of his watching father Joe O’Cearuill.A switch to the club is expected to be confirmed in January with Manchester United possibly netting a compensation of as little at £300,000 for the teen sensation.Gabriel went on to reveal his personal ambition of one day winning the Ballon d’Or.The decorated award handed out to the best player in the world has not been won by a Real Madrid player since Karim Benzema in 2022.The Frenchman was the last active La Liga player to have won the award with Vincius Junior narrowly missing out in 2024 and Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal coming up short behind Harry Kane in this year’s edition.“My dream is to win the Ballon d’Or,” Gabriel explained, having already made his mark on the UEFA Youth League with a hattrick prior to his transfer request.Gabriel is hoping to one day follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishman Harry Kane by winning the Ballon d’OrGettyManchester United sources insist they have not entered into discussions with any club over a transfer but it appears that a move to the Spanish capital is imminent.The forward is expected to start his Real Madrid career in the club’s Castilla team that functions in Spain’s third tier.He will also feature in the UEFA Youth League.Why does Gabriel want to leave Manchester United?Gabriel wants to leave Manchester United due to frustrations over his development pathway. His camp have reportedly pinpointed a perceived delay in his integration into the first team.The star’s representatives have lost faith in the long-term project at Manchester United, claiming the club has declined compared to Europe’s current elite. Gabriel was named the Premier League’s Under-18 Player of the Season last year aged just 14 years old.Gabriel has been lauded for his superb displays across United’s youth teamsGettyHe went on to break records playing for United’s various youth teams and became the youngest player to feature in the Under-18s.