Bayern Munich Targeting Manchester United Talent JJ Gabriel

Bayern Munich are pushing to the front of the queue for Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel, with the 15-year-old said to have told the club he wants out and is not expected to play for them again.

Reports in The Sun and the Manchester Evening News say talks have already been opened between Gabriel’s camp and both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as the teenager looks for a fresh start away from Old Trafford.

At the heart of the negotiations sits super-agent Ali Barat. Though players under 16 cannot be formally represented by an agent, Barat and his agency, Epic Sports, are understood to be heavily involved in steering discussions and are viewed as favourites to officially take Gabriel on once regulations allow. Their role in drawing two of Europe’s biggest clubs to the table underlines the scale of the chase.

Bayern have not exactly hidden their admiration. Sporting director Christoph Freund publicly praised Gabriel at a press conference last week, choosing his words carefully but leaving little doubt about how highly the youngster is rated in Munich.

“I don't talk about players who are under contract with other clubs. We know the player because he's very talented. He's an exceptional talent. I can't say anything more about that,” Freund said.

For now, Gabriel remains a Manchester United player on paper. In reality, the battle for one of Europe’s most talked-about teenagers has already begun.