Man Utd braced for transfer battle as Barcelona step up interest in academy wonderkid

Man Utd braced for transfer battle as Barcelona step up interest in academy wonderkid Ben Fleming Published December 3, 2025 1:45pm Updated December 3, 2025 1:45pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Manchester United could lose one of their prized academy talents (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign 15-year-old Manchester United academy talent JJ Gabriel, according to reports.

Gabriel has long been seen as one of the biggest talents in the United academy set-up, and has been in impressive form for the club’s Under-18s this season.

The 15-year-old versatile attacker, who has already been capped at England Under-16 level, has scored ten goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in a recent 7-0 thrashing of rivals Liverpool.

Such form and potential have seen several top clubs keep a close eye on Gabriel, who also has an Irish passport and, therefore, is able to move clubs at the age of 16.

And The Sun has now reported that Barcelona are one of the clubs stepping up their efforts to sign the talented youngster.

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The Spanish giants have long been linked with Gabriel and are now said to be upping their efforts to prise him away from Carrington to join their famed La Masia academy.

United’s director of football Jason Wilcox held talks with Gabriel and his family last season to convince the teenager to continue his development at the club.

JJ Gabriel is wanted by the Spanish giants (Picture: Getty)

And Wilcox may have more work to do in the coming months and windows to ensure the talented youngster remains at United.

Gabriel, alongside his Under-18 teammates, joined the United first team in training last week.

Asked about Gabriel’s inclusion and his promise, Amorim recently said: ‘Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media.

Gabriel could follow in Marcus Rashford’s footsteps with a move to Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

‘You could see the U21s had a game and we had less players and tried to pick players for training that have talent.

‘Not just for me to see for tomorrow but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace. 

‘If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone.’

Should Gabriel join Barcelona, he would follow in the footsteps of United academy graduate Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at the Spanish giants.

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The 27-year-old has two goals and seven assists in 14 La Liga games so far this season, with Barcelona able to make the deal permanent in the summer for only £26million.

But speaking recently, Deco, Barca’s Director of Football, insisted that no final decision had been made on Rashford’s future at the club.

‘Nothing has been decided with Marcus Rashford,’ he told SER Catalunya.

‘It’s not the time to make decisions about the future. We’re happy with him, Rashford is giving us a lot. Strategically, it’s not the time to talk about signings.’

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