Man Utd threaten 'legal action' over JJ Gabriel transfer
Manchester United could take legal action against JJ Gabriel's representatives should he complete a transfer away from the club.
Last month, a bombshell dropped when it emerged that the 15-year-old sensation had requested to be de-registered by the Red Devils, which would have seen him become a free agent.
Gabriel and his camp, it was claimed, had grown frustrated with the lack of a first-team pathway. The teenager had expected to be included in Man Utd's squad to face Sabah in the Champions League, but he ultimately had to feature against the Azeri club in the Youth League.
He bagged a hat-trick and then proceeded to delete any mention of Man Utd from his social media channels. A few days later, it was revealed that the biggest prospect in the club's academy had demanded to leave.
Although he is still on the books at Man Utd, Gabriel is no longer in Manchester. He is currently keeping himself fit in Barcelona, where the reigning LaLiga champions are believed to be keen to sign him despite assertions to the contrary from sporting director Deco.
Man Utd threaten legal action
Gabriel turns 16 on Tuesday, which will allow him to move abroad, courtesy of an Irish and Cypriot passport. The expectation is that the youngster will leave England, but his destination is still not entirely clear.
Besides Barcelona, he has also been associated with Real Madrid, Bayern and PSG. In England, virtually every major club would love to sign him, particularly Man Utd's rivals Man City - though they currently have bigger problems to resolve.
Thus far, he has not yet been de-registered by Man Utd. The Old Trafford outfit have attempted to convince him to change his mind, but The Sun claims that club sources "expect" Gabriel to leave.
What's more, it is asserted that Man Utd could look to take "regulatory and perhaps even legal action against anyone who may broker" the youngster's departure.
If Gabriel moves abroad, Man Utd would only be entitled to compensation in the region of €350,000. This fee would be significantly higher if he were to stay in the Premier League.
It recently emerged that superagent Ali Barat received authorisation from the Football Association to represent minors on the same day that Gabriel demanded to leave Man Utd. Barat has reportedly lined up talks with suitors.
However, it is currently not clear if he is permitted to formally handle Gabriel's affairs. The outlet says that the FA did not respond when asked whether Barat or any other agent had requested to oversee the 15-year-old's career and signed a representation contract with him.
To say that the situation is messy would be an understatement.
