Real Madrid are plotting a stunning move to land JJ Gabriel with the Spanish giants determined to beat bitter rivals Barcelona to the Manchester United wonderkid’s signature. United’s hierarchy have been rocked at the breakdown in relations between Gabriel’s family and the club following a bombshell request by the player to leave. Confidential understands one of the factors behind the move is Gabriel's limited minutes in pre-season – the 15-year-old featured in just one game, coming off the bench against Atletico Madrid – with relatives unhappy that he hasn’t already broken into Michael Carrick’s side this season and made a first-team debut. It has become a source of real contention although, ironically, Gabriel was set to be included in the squad to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night – a move that has now been scrapped. Respected figures in academy circles have told Confidential that Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid are now seen as a major threat to Barcelona’s hopes of signing the youngster, with a number of England’s top clubs aware that it may now come down to a tug-of-war between the two Spanish giants. Because he owns an Irish passport, Gabriel is eligible to join a team in Europe at the age of 16. English players are only allowed to go abroad at 18 under current rules.   submitted by   /u/BlazingFirey [link]   [comments]