Despite Bayern Munich talks: Manchester United's rising star prefers Real Madrid and Barcelona
Bayern Munich have not made an official offer so far.
Bayern Munich have stepped up their pursuit of JJ Gabriel, the Manchester United academy prospect, opening fresh talks with the player's representatives, according to a report by "Sky Sport Germany".
The German giants are yet to table a concrete offer for the young forward, though. They remain in the race without having taken that next official step.
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Recent discussions have deepened the contact between the two parties. They have not led to an agreement, nor to any clear move towards a switch to Munich.
Gabriel's preference, by contrast, currently leans towards Spain. Real Madrid and Barcelona lead the race and hold the best chances of landing him. Both clubs are chasing him hard, and both can offer a sporting project that appeals to him more strongly right now.
A financial obstacle
The overall cost of the deal remains a major hurdle for every interested club. According to "Sky", it goes well beyond the 10 to 15 million euro range, reaching a striking level even for a talent rated as exceptional. Convincing the player on the sporting side won't be enough on its own. A club must also be ready to make a significant investment in the future, and that combination is likely to decide his destination.
Who is JJ Gabriel?
Gabriel turned 16 on 6 October and plays up front for the Manchester United academy. He is yet to feature in a competitive match for the first team, his only involvement coming in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid.
Last September, the player told United he wanted to leave and formally requested the termination of his youth contract, which runs until the end of this season. The club are under no legal obligation to accept. The request came a few days after he scored a hat-trick on his debut in the UEFA Youth League against Azerbaijan's Sabah.
Gabriel had been set to sign a scholarship contract with United on turning 16, with a professional deal to follow at 17. That step now looks unlikely.
Christoph Freund, Bayern's sporting director, addressed the club's interest in remarks to "Bild" last September, saying: "We know the player because he is very, very talented. An exceptional talent. But I cannot say more than that."
